Winless Rotherham United have held Preston North End to a goalless half-time draw during a quiet opening 45 minutes at the New York Stadium.

Chasing their first points of the season, the bottom-of-the-table Millers had no shortage of motivation coming into the contest and they almost moved ahead on 13 minutes.

Lewis Buxton whipped in a pinpoint cross after beating two men at the byline, but Matt Derbyshire could only turn the delivery wide of Jordan Pickford's goal.

United boss Steve Evans kept faith with under-fire goalkeeper Kelle Roos for the visit of Preston, despite costly errors in his first two games for the club.

However, the Dutchman looked determine to vindicate the manager as he belied his early-season reputation by denying Greg Cunningham and Joe Garner just before the half-hour mark.

Garner's attempt proved the last clear-cut chance of a cagey first half.