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Rotherham United vs Aldershot Town. Sky Bet League Two Play-Offs Semi-Final.

Don Valley StadiumAttendance7,082.

Rotherham United 2

  • A Le Fondre (43rd minute)
  • K Ellison (68th minute)

Aldershot Town 0

    3-0

    Millers fire down Shots

    Image: Ellison: On target

    Goals from Adam Le Fondre and Kevin Ellison saw Rotherham beat Aldershot and reach the League Two play-off final.

    Le Fondre and Ellison goals seal deserved victory

    Goals in either half from Adam Le Fondre and Kevin Ellison saw Rotherham progress to the League Two play-off final at the expense of Aldershot. Le Fondre, who scored a late winner in Saturday's first leg at Aldershot, got the all-important opener two minutes before the interval at the Don Valley Stadium. He headed home a rebound from close range for his 30th goal of the season after Ian Sharps' earlier header had hit the woodwork. Ellison then made sure of the victory when heading in Nicky Law's cross on 68 minutes. Aldershot's attempts to get back into the game were snuffed out by a solid Rotherham defence and Kevin Dillon's men were left to rue several missed opportunities in the first leg. The Millers will now probably face Dagenham & Redbridge - who are 6-0 up in their semi-final against Morecambe - on 30th May. The game will be their first appearance at Wembley since their 1996 Football League Trophy success.

    Settled quickest

    Ronnie Moore's side had not won at the Don Valley Stadium since the end of March but they settled the quickest, forcing a succession of early corners. But they could not create any clear chances and as the first half wore on, Aldershot began to get a foothold in the game, with Dean Morgan wasting a good opportunity when he blazed over from the edge of the area. The game really began to open up and Aldershot felt they should have had a penalty when Dave Winfield went down under a heavy challenge, but Rotherham also threatened when Le Fondre's cross-shot glanced off the top of the bar. With the Millers having scored just four times in their last nine games, the first goal was always going to be crucial and it was Moore's side that broke the deadlock at the perfect time, with just two minutes of the first half remaining. Nicky Law's corner was headed onto the woodwork by Ian Sharps, and Le Fondre was in the right place to nod home from close range to double Rotherham's aggregate lead. Aldershot had to come out firing in the second period if they harboured any hopes of turning the tie around, and they put Rotherham under pressure.
    Superb skill
    But it was the hosts who almost extended their lead further when a superb piece of skill saw Ryan Taylor break free of his marker Dave Winfield and his low drive was well saved by Mikheal Jaimez-Ruiz. The visitors were pushing forward in search of a way back into the tie but they came up against a stern home side, who were also dangerous on the break. Neither Ellison or Taylor were unable to get on the end of a threatening Law cross after Le Fondre had set him clear, while Le Fondre's drive was deflected just over. The Shots eventually got in behind Rotherham and should have levelled on the night but Morgan put his effort way over at the far post. And the Millers immediately took advantage as they went up to the other end and extended their lead. The influential Law broke the offside trap and teed up Ellison, who made no mistake with his header from six yards. An inevitable bout of Aldershot pressure came with Andy Warrington palming away Aaron Brown's effort and Gavin Gunning clearing a shot by substitute Kirk Hudson off the line as the Millers held firm.

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