Rotherham started much sharper and Rovers' stopper Thimothee Lo-Tutala had to be alert early on to race out and smother Martin Sherif's tentative effort after he'd beaten the offside trap.
That aside, the first 25 minutes was shorn of any real quality - that was until Rovers broke the deadlock in emphatic style. James Maxwell put in a peach of a cross from the left flank and Owen Bailey met it with a perfectly timed header to continue his outstanding scoring run at the start of this season - it's now five goals in all competitions for the captain.
He then fired straight at Cammy Dawson as the hosts looked to add a second before half-time, whilst Glenn Middleton saw a speculative effort come back off the crossbar.
They were cursing the woodwork again just after the break when Tom Nixon's drive came back off the post. It was becoming a more open game and Rotherham's Ar'Jany Martha hit a sweet, dipping volley that Lo-Tutala did excellently to parry away.
The rest of the half was a gritty affair with chances at a premium: Middleton was denied by Dawson's legs and the visitors' best chance of pinching a point came when sub Jordan Hugill blazed wide in added time.
Here's our player ratings:
13. Damola Ajayi 7
Added real impetus when he came on, looking to torment tired Rotherham legs. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD
14. Jay McGrath N/A
Donny lad brought on as a triple sub to soak up time. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD
15. Brandon Hanlan N/A
Did ok in his cameo, holding it up well. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD
16. Jack Senior N/A
On late as part of a rejig to try and see out the game. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD