Rotherham United 0-5 Worcester City 

Flat. Sodden. Deflated.

The match ball which needed replacing just after half time could have served as metaphor for the atmosphere at Roundwood as Rotherham United Women’s FA Cup adventure hit the buffers.

So buoyant before kick-off, thanks to a larger-than-normal crowd, an appearance by Rotherham mascot Miller Bear, the inherent glamour of the FA Cup and the spectacle of a guard of honour from flag bearers, it had all fizzled out by the break.

There was no lack of fight from Pete Jarvis’ side, but Worcester City proved too clinical by half.

The applause had barely died down for the immaculately-observed Remembrance Day minute’s silence when the deadlock was broken.

Worcester raced into an early lead when the lively Annie Highway tried her luck from distance and found the bottom corner, and continued to dominate possession until the towering Olivia Mitcham nipped in to slot past Georgia Ward for the second.

The Millers struggled to find their passing rhythm as the autumn rain continued to teem down and only came alive after the interval.

Maddy Wilson brought a smart save from the previously unoccupied Sofia Stolt in the Worcester goal, while Demi Weekes, Jess Jones and Lauren Winter also warmed the keeper’s palms. But despite a rise in tempo and urgency from the Millers, there was no way through.

It was the travelling fans who were celebrating next as Mitcham was freed down the left and dinked a cute finish over Ward for her own second.

The keeper was alert minutes later, diving low to prevent Mitcham completing her hat trick, before tipping over a goal-bound header.

Worcester would not be denied, though, and captain Jess Fassnidge and sub Jen Higgs both added their names to the scoresheet in the dying minutes.

That put a gloss on the scoreline that was probably harsh on the Millers, whose second-half display deserved greater reward.

But an honest appraisal would conclude they were beaten by a slicker, stronger side on the day.

While free-scoring Worcester look destined to dominate their own division, Rotherham are timetabled two weekends off before their crunch match away to table-topping Lincoln United on December 3.

Meanwhile, the Reserves suffered a setback of their own, letting a 4-0 lead slip to draw 4-4 at Mosborough.

All Mosborough’s goals were scored after the break, by which time strikes from Emily Ward, Shauna Messenger and Nnola Oyeka (2) appeared to have put the Millers in control.

Millers: Georgia Ward, Lori-Anne Tart, Sidni Simmons, Amy Nowell, Dina Sarayreh, Jess Jones, Lauren Winter, Lauren Brogan, Abbie Staples, Jessie Broadhurst, Milly Colford. Subs: Maddy Wilson, Demi Weekes, Rachel Hale. Unused: Mia McDonald.

Reserves: Hannah Iguchi, Emily Ind, Emily Walker, Emily Bell, Freya Sutherland, Madison Jones, Emily Ward, Shauna Messenger, Victoria Goodill, Nnola Oyeka, Emily Evans. Subs: Rayanne Haywood, Katrina Parsons. Unused: Faith Hall