Mansfield Town were dealt a 3-0 defeat by Sky Bet Championship side Rotherham United in their latest pre-season outing.

The hosts endured a positive first-half that included several fantastic chances for George Maris and Mal Benning.  

However, the visiting party showcased their class in three separate scenarios as Joe Mattock, Michael Smith and Mickel Miller netted one goal apiece to take victory.  

Graham Coughlan opted to give James Perch and Corey O’Keeffe their first starts in Mansfield colours in their third pre-season fixture.  

After 189 days away from One Call Stadium – their last competitive fixture being victory against Newport County – the Stags returned home with intent to strike early.  

Maris curled a free-kick over the bar before Harry Charsley’s sweeping cross had to be touched behind by the Millers’ goalkeeper.  

Pressure remained throughout the opening exchanges, with Benning dancing past two challenges before drilling the wrong side of the woodwork.  

And, at the opposite end of the field, the left-back’s timely intervention then ensured Miller’s low strike never caused trouble for his side.  

The Stags’ number three continually found himself involved in the action but was left disappointed on 22 minutes. O’Keeffe’s first-time delivery bounced across the face of goal and met Benning’s left boot, yet he was unable to keep his effort down from close range.  

Rotherham’s first notable chance arrived as the clock skipped the half-hour mark. Trevor Clarke saw space on the edge of Mansfield’s area but lashed an attempt beyond the bar.  

Coughlan’s men carved out one more gilt-edged chance as the first period drew to a close. Andy Cook’s initial touch set Charsley away down the left flank to cross for Maris, whose guided shot was blocked, somewhat unknowingly, by the ankles of Clark Robertson. 

Into the second half and the hosts immediately picked up where they left off. A free-flowing move again saw Charsley break clear, but Cook this time was the man unable to divert home on the stretch.  

The tide suddenly shifted, though, when the Championship outfit took the lead on 50 minutes. 

Rollin Menayese seemed to have extinguished any imminent danger with an exemplary tackle but the referee deemed otherwise, leaving substitute Mattock to curl beyond the reach of Stech from a set-piece.  

The visitors, newly-promoted from England’s third division, were quickly gaining momentum and were able to notch a second just past the hour.  

From the penalty spot, Smith drifted towards the far side to meet a low ball before flicking it delicately towards the opposing corner.   

Stech was unable to prevent the second but did, soon after, deny the visitors a third as he dived to claim Chiedozie Ogbene’s header that was planted into the turf.  

Wholesale changes were then made in several intervals and one of the earliest, Tyrese Sinclair, looked to pull one back for the amber and blue. A 20-yard free-kick was dipping into the top corner before intervention from the away side’s ‘keeper. 

And with only three minutes remaining, Rotherham netted a third.  

Miller rose highest amongst a crowd of bodies to steer his glancing header into its desired target.  

Up next for the amber and blue is a trip to Deepdale on Saturday 29 August to face Preston North End in the Carabao Cup first round.

STAGS XI: Stech (GK), O’Keeffe (Gordon 60’), Benning (Clarke 69’), Menayese, Sweeney, Rawson, Charsley, Bowery (Rose 79’), Maris (O’Driscoll 79’), Cook (Reid 79’), Perch (Sinclair 60’).   

UNUSED SUBS: Stone (GK), Knowles, Scott, Walker.   

ROTHERHAM XI: Trialist (GK), Jones (Ogbene 60’), S. MacDonald, Thompson (A. MacDonald 60’ (Scott 79’)), Wood (Lindsay 46’), Wiles (Greaves 79’), Miller, Robertson (Hull 79’), Clarke (Mattock 46’), Smith, Crooks (Harding 60’).   

UNUSED SUBS: Proctor.