A forturnate goal for Luciano Becchio has given Rotherham United a comfortable 2-0 lead at home to Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.

The hosts, looking to bounce back after a weekend defeat at Ipswich Town, made a lively start and the Millers were rewarded for their enterprise when Kari Arnason reacted first to a set-piece delivery into the box, before firing a shot past Jason Steele.

However, United also suffered an early blow when Kirk Broadfoot had to be withdrawn by manager Steve Evans early in proceedings.

Rotherham continued to torment the shell-shocked Rovers defence as Becchio reached Alex Revell's cross, and his subsequent effort was inches away from giving the Yorkshireman a second goal.

Blackburn came close to an equaliser through a Ben Marshall shot and Rudy Gestede's header, but the Lancashire outfit fell further behind after a mix of persistence and comedy defending.

Ryan Tunnicliffe, under pressure from Ben Pringle, played the ball back to Steele and the Rovers keeper could only find Becchio with his clearance, which rebounded off the Argentine frontman and into the net.

With the break approaching, United almost sealed the three points, but Paul Taylor's free kick failed to threaten Steele with his free kick.