A brace from Joel Colwill helped fire Cheltenham Town to a 3-1 first-round win over Rotherham as the League One club’s FA Cup woes continued.
The midfielder, on loan from Cardiff, scored either side of Mallik Wilks’ equaliser before Ethon Archer made sure of the visitors’ progress.
It was a deserved defeat for Steve Evans’ side, who produced little against opponents who are a tier below them on the football pyramid.
Nevertheless, Rotherham made the better start as they chased a first victory in this competition over a team in one of the top four divisions since 2013.
However, with Michael Flynn’s men organised and resolute in defence, chances were at a premium until a previously lacklustre contest suddenly burst into life.
Colwill edged Cheltenham in front against the run of play, Cameron Dawson fumbling his 36th minute shot from a Luke Young corner into the net, but they were ahead for barely 60 seconds, with Wilks immediately levelling after threading an angled finish past Joe Day.
Colwill restored Cheltenham’s advantage in the 44th minute with a superb header from Jordan Thomas’ cross and Archer’s superb solo effort stretched it 13 minutes after the break, as he teased Rotherham’s rearguard before converting a powerful low drive.
