Rotherham United: Paul Warne hails in-form Freddie Ladapo's goal threat

The club's record signing, a £400,000 summer buy from Plymouth, scored a vital equaliser in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Southend.

It was his 11th goal of the campaign and sixth in the last five games as he was in the right place at the right time after Jake Hastie’s effort hit the crossbar.

He might even had added to his tally as the Millers chased a win in Essex, but had to settle for one.

“Freddie could have had a couple more at the end," Warne said.

“He created those chances himself. I thought he was a real nuisance all day.

“Freddie's always a goal threat. His work rate for the team was good. He can make a chance out of nothing, which is a rare thing.

“We brought him to the club to score goals. No one likes scoring more than him.”

Ladapo's goal spared Millers’ blushes against a team that has the lowest points tally in the whole of England.

The Shrimpers had lost eight out of nine games on home soil before the Millers arrived, so this has to count as a disappointing draw for Warne's side.

They had taken the lead through Rob Kiernan's own goal, before a slack start to the second half saw Southend turn the game around.

"We were carrying some illness and injuries,” Warne said. “We had to play a narrow four in midfield who probably have less than 100 league games between them.

“The young men, after the initial 10 or 15 minutes, have done all right.

“On another day we might have nicked it.”