Byfield the bane of Millwall

Nationwide Review

The Nationwide First Division clubs have suffered a series of rude awakenings over the summer, but for Millwall, who finished fourth last term but failed in the play-offs, there was one more icy blast of reality awaiting them. It went by the name of Darren Byfield.

The Rotherham United striker was the Lions' tormentor in chief, scoring four goals in the 6-0 humiliation of Mark McGhee's woeful side. Their disarray was typified by goalkeeper Tony Warner who gifted the Millers their second when he allowed Martin McIntosh's 35-yard free-kick to spin through his grasp.

McGhee was not pleased, suggesting that his players resented the pay freeze imposed by the chairman Theo Paphitis in the wake of the ITV Digital collapse. "If the players haven't come to terms with it and can't give their best, we'll go out and get some fresh blood. We can't wait 15 games to see if will they will sort their heads out."

Ronnie Moore, the Millers' manager, used racist taunts aimed at Byfield as motivation. "I said to him at half-time to answer it with goals – and he did. Everything clicked and that's as well as we can play."

Norwich City, also unsuccessful in the play-offs, started in a more positive frame of mind, Phil Mulryne and Paul McVeigh scoring two each in the 4-0 defeat of Grimsby Town at Carrow Road.

Of the sides promoted from the Second Division, Brighton began impressively under new manager Martin Hinshelwood with a 3-1 win at Burnley. Stan Ternent's side had missed the play-offs by a point but were thoroughly upstaged as Steve Melton fired in from 18 yards before Burnley's Arthur Gnohere was sent off. Paul Brooker then scored the visitors' second and Bobby Zamora made it 3-0 from close in. Lee Briscoe's goal was scant consolation.

"Perhaps I should resign now and sod it," Hinshelwood said, "it's unlikely to get much better." Ternent hopes his side does. "They will have to do better and if they don't I'll throw the kids in. I've done it before and I'll do it again."

Also promoted and under new management, Steve Cotterill's Stoke City earned a point from a 0-0 draw at Sheffield Wednesday, the Potters' goalkeeper Neil Cutler pulling of a series of fine saves.

Coventry City, another side with a new manager, gave Gary McAllister a winning start in a 2-1 defeat of Sheffield United at Highfield Road. Carl Asaba gave the visitors an early lead but Jay Bothroyd headed in McAllister's corner, although the ball appeared not to have crossed the line. Substitute Gary McSheffrey thumped in the winner five minutes before half-time.

A small thing like wholesale financial meltdown creating a stagnant transfer market was never going to stop the Harry Redknapp revolving doors spinning at Fratton Park and after a frantic summer of selling and signing Portsmouth's reconstituted side took no time at all to gel, beating Nottingham Forest 2-0. Redknapp's most recent signing, Deon Burton, back at Pompey on loan from Derby, put them ahead after eight minutes. Vincent Pericard, loaned by Juventus, wrapped it up on the stroke of half-time.