Millers lose out in first public friendly.

A goal from half time sub Tom Pope (right) four minutes from the end was consolation after two goals from Walsall's Alex Nicholls and Richard Davies gave the League One visitors the spoils.

In a side which was severely rotated, wantaway striker Reuben Reid played 66 minutes with latest signing Paul Warne completing the first half.

The Millers side was missing the injured Drewe Broughton, who broke his toe in the behind closed doors game with Mansfield and is set to be missing for around  six weeks.

Boss Mark Robins was pleased in general with the 90 minute run out, and told the post match media: "Tom put himself on the scoresheet and made a good contribution.

"Overall it was a decent workout against a good side. We didn;t do ourselves any favours by gifting them a goal but at this stage peformances are going to be up and down because of fatigue. We'll now look forward to the game on Wednesday" (aganst Forest).

Robbo added: "I want to make sure the pitch is forked because at the moment it is not good enough.

"I was assured the pitch was in good condition but it clearly is not, so I need to be assured what is going to be done about it."