The Spireites were once the Millers’ bogey side and their wins tally to 44 to 19 before this first league meeting between the two in 13 years was testament to that.
Victory number 45 didn’t come, poor decision-making and the two shots on target from nearly 70 per cent possession telling its own story. Credit too to Rotherham's stoic defensive work.
Still, they did their best to leave the door open to a comeback by missing a lot of chances after Fabio Tavares shot them into a first-half lead.
Handed a get-out-of-jail card by Liam Mandeville’s late penalty, what manager Paul Cook admitted would have been a fortuitous point was lost when one defensive slip let Paul Mullin in to make it 2-1.
In that solitary moment a scruffy draw that most of the 2,000-plus supporters behind the goal would have accepted turned into a tight loss and a post-match inquest.
The frustration from the fans was justified. The more over-the-top reactions just three games into a 46-game league season less so.
With Gillingham in town tomorrow there’s a swift chance to try and make amends.
Here’s our player ratings from the game.
9. Liam Mandeville 6
Liam Mandeville 6: Fought a losing battle. Tucked away the equalising penalty under pressure only for poor game management to render it worthless Photo: Tina Jenner
10. Dilan Markanday 6
Dilan Markanday 6: Had Rotherham defenders back-pedalling, especially early doors, and if his early chance had gone it the afternoon might have turned out differently. Occasionally guilty of over-playing as Chesterfield chased an equaliser in the second half Photo: Tina Jenner
11. Lee Bonis 6
Lee Bonis 6: Set Dilan Markanday clear for Chesterfield's best chance of the game. Booked for simulation in the first half when there was a case for a penalty. Came off after an hour with a head wound. Photo: Tina Jenner
12. Fraser Bryden 6
Fraser Bryden 6: Striker replaced the injured Lee Bonis after an hour. Feeding off scraps but had a header saved and won the penalty Photo: Fraser Bryden 6