Two goals within a ten minute spell either side of half time were sufficient to enable The Millers to withstand a late Brickies fightback, and claim the spoils at a chilly Artic Stadium.

Goals from Danny Smith and Hassan Ibrahiym saw Kevin Watson’s men take charge early into the second half, before former Ipswich Town man Andy Drury’s 76^th minute strike set up a tense finish.

After a fairly even opening to the game, Ade Yusuff had the hosts first significant effort on goal in the 13^th minute – his left footed shot from the right side of the penalty area being comfortably taken by Perrin on his line.

As Valley took an increasing foothold on the game, a succession of corners were ably dealt with by a Brickies rearguard looking increasingly difficult to break down.

In the 33^rd minute, excellent footwork by Yusuff saw him find Denzel Gayle wide on the right. The speedy wingman’s quick feet saw him cut inside before firing a flashing left footed drive high and wide of the far post.

The deadlock was however broken on 39 minutes.

As Francis Babalola broke into the visitors area, his right footed shot towards the far post was finished by Danny Smith to put The Millers into the lead.

This stung The Brickies into life as Nkori Bola turned Ashley Sains outside the box before firing narrowly wide.

Minutes later, following fine interplay just outside the Valley area, Bola broke into the box – being thwarted by onrushing Millers’ keeper Andy Walker.  

The Millers earned themselves some breathing space 5 minutes after half time – excellent play by Babalola on the right saw him dink a delightful cross to Ibrayhim 10 yards out. The midfield man’s rasping close range drive deflected into the roof of the net off a defender, to evade  Brickies custodian Jordan-John Perrin.

Babalola looked to extend the lead minutes later – McCann setting him up before having his fierce drive deflected for a corner.

Sittingbourne threatened briefly as striker Kane Rowland headed narrowly wide following a cross into the box, as the game opened up.

Valley had a great chance to put the game to bed in the 57^th minute – Hassan jinking his way to the byeline before cutting the ball back into the six yard box. Yusuff’s clever close range backheel was cleared off the line by a visiting defender.

The visitors went close just after the hour mark as fine interplay between Ryan Palmer and Rowland outside the box saw Rowland’s drive excellently saved by Walker -the ball falling to Bola whose follow-up header flew just wide.

Yusuff again went close for The Millers in the 71st minute as Gayle made a fine run from right to left across the visitors 18 yard box. Gayle found Yusuff on the left – his curling right foot shot flying over the bar.

15 minutes from time, The Brickies pulled a goal back – good work from Bola  inside the Millers’ area saw him find Drury, who fired home to haul the visitors back into the game.

With Matt Warren picking up a knock in the 81^st minute, young midfielder Ollie Farmer came on for his league debut as the game flowed from end to end – the hosts holding out to take the hard earned but dererved points.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN – KIERON McCANN

MATCH RATING – ***

MILLERS : A.Walker, Smith, Sains, Tumkaya, Gayle (King-Elliot 73), Babalola, McCann, Morath-Gibbs, Warren (Farmer 81), Ibrahiym (Flack 65), Yusuff

Not Used : Aarons-Royal, Adeyemo

SITTINGBOURNE : Perrin, Rogers, Kisitu (Miller 56), Monger, Walters-Wright, Allan, Palmer, Drury, Rowland, Bola (Goodger 77), Lee (Ajo-Adjei 84)

Not Used : Caney-Bryan, Stubbs

Images courtesy of Dave Cumberbatch