Rotherham United: Kenny Jackett reacts to Millers defeat against Preston North End

The Millers had shown a big improvement in the new manager’s first two games in charges, but today’s loss in their 100th league fixture at New York Stadium means they have now gone 12 Championship matches without a win and have the division’s leakiest backline.

“Finding a defensive set-up which can keep us in games is tough, and it was tough again today,” Jackett said. “Preston looked like they could score goals today.

“The goals against column has hurt us and it’s deflating for the players because you need to stay in games.

“we need to get the job done. The last two games, we have been very competitive and tight, but today we didn’t have a defensive solidity to keep us in the game. We were defensively slow to react.”

North End led 2-0 at half-time as Millers defenders backed off, allowing left-wing crosses to set up headers for Jordan Hugill and Callum Robinson.

Skipper Richard Wood reduced arrears in the 71st minute but the visitors deservedly wrapped up the points with an 81st-minute back-post tap-in by Marnick Vermijl.

Rotherham head into the international break in bottom place and eight points away from a safety spot.

“We have given poor goals away again which has put Preston in control of the game,” Jackett added.

“In the first 15 minutes we had a chance or two, but so did they before they scored. It is two simple headers that have put them in control. When we did get back in it through a good goal from Wood, they had enough on the break and the third goal killed us.

“It was the worst of the three performances, I felt, since I’ve been here.”

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