Rotherham coach Matt Hamshaw said Luton player Mads Andersen should have been sent off when the referee paused for a foul.
The Millers side picked up a good point when they played to a goalless draw at promotion-chasing Luton Town, extending their unbeaten run in League One to seven games and climbing to 11th place.
A resilient back three, led by young Hamish Douglas and Dan Gore as well as Kian Spence, put in a defiant performance and kept a clean sheet for the second game in a row.
The Hatters had the most territory and most of the possession but it was Rotherham who came closest to scoring as Jordan Hugill saw his downward header saved by Josh Keeley.
He also came close to receiving a cross from Dan Gore, only to be forced off the pitch limping at the end of the first half.
Former referee Keith Hackett tweeted about the incident: “Rotherham Utd player had a clear run towards goal and a high probability of controlling the ball and scoring a shot on goal.”
“Covering defender behind – DOGSO complied, Anderson should have received a red card.”
The result means Luton moved up to 8th with 23 points from 15 games, while Rotherham climbed to 11th with 22 points from 16 games.
There was no advantage here, an absolute shock. The whistle blew when it was clear Rotherham would have a 1v1 situation. #RUFC pic.twitter.com/ddcIm6MbfC
— Rob Staton (@robstaton) November 15, 2025
Would have got a point before the game.
Well defended.
It’s just a shame about Hugill’s injury and of course about the referee’s mistake.#rufc pic.twitter.com/tCWzBLZkcf– James (@hicksy_rufc) November 15, 2025
Matt Hamshaw said: “Incredibly happy. I think you just have to look at the circumstances. I felt if we had had more attacking options on the pitch.
“We were a threat in the first half and obviously Jordan Hugill twisted his ankle and Martin Sherif feels his hamstring slightly, so I couldn’t really take any risks with the position we’re in at the moment in that area, but I think we performed really well in the first half.”
“Look, I can’t stand here and say we weren’t that dangerous in the second half. I didn’t think we were, but I think the energy, the courage, the determination, the goals conceded speaks volumes about the group.”
Interviewer: “Yeah, and when you do that with virtually no incident and no strikers, it’s about the effort that went into that performance today, right?”
Matt: “Yeah, and look, I’ve told them all along that it’s easy to use excuses. And if we’re being honest, we probably had a lot of excuses at that moment and it would have been easy to come here and sort of turn around, losing 1-0, 2-0 and think: No, that’s not a bad result.”
“And that’s the mentality I want to change in this group. I don’t think they lack it. I think they’re gaining confidence from this run we’re on.”
“But look, you go through the team today and again because last week we lost four players that were on the roster last week to this week. And it just seems like the look that we have is ridiculous.”
“But we need to talk about this group and how well they all did.”
Interviewer: “Not only was I unlucky with the injuries. But in one very special moment, 10 minutes before halftime, when the referees stopped the game, he could have easily allowed it to continue and that could have cost you a goal there, Matt.”
Matt: “I was very frustrated. I think we’re obviously there. We were told that the referees were going to try and keep the game going a bit longer and when he got the whistle I thought they were going to send him off because I felt like Martin was the last man standing. But luckily sometimes you get him, sometimes you don’t and I think that would have given us a bit of a boost and we looked prepared defensively.”
“I can’t really remember the Jacob Brown game where he sort of shot it and rolled it through to Daws, but I don’t really remember us having much trouble with our goal and that’s a credit to the boys, but a really good away performance.”
“We want to be more up front offensively, I can’t stand here and say, but I think the defense, the organization, the will to fight for the badge and for others is fantastic.”
“Incredibly happy. Just look at the circumstances (injuries).”
Rotherham boss Matt Hamshaw on the Luton draw, injury updates (including Sam Nombe) and whether he will hit the free agent market #RUFC
Full interview https://t.co/fj7H6gRVDQ pic.twitter.com/LOGEABCapy
– Football Heaven (@footballheaven) November 15, 2025
Here’s how fans reacted after the Rotherham boss felt the Luton player should have been sent off when the referee paused for a foul…
@TomStirk1992: Referee standards are on the floor
@kevjohnson77: It is either advantage or a red card, stopping and showing yellow is criminal
@MightyMillers20: Damn yelling from the referee, either there is a red card or he continues playing
@Dec_Martin7: You don’t take that back unless you send the defender off… That’s a diabolical decision, absolute disgrace. #rufc
@CraigGoater87: 3 options with this buddy. 1. You keep playing, let McWilliams pass, see what happens, and then book the player. 2. Let McWilliams continue playing, but when the defender gets the ball, pull him back for a free kick and then book the player. 3. Free kick and red card because No. 1 covers him
@TomElliottBAFC: Now you know how it feels, guys! Your husband should have been sent off last week against us #rufc #bafc for the same reason
@ltfcat: I can’t believe we got away with this. I thought if he blew up with them 1v1, Andersen would be wide. Then he just wasn’t anymore
@Lewisrhys: The clearest red card you’ll see this weekend. Joke
@GazzaWozza: Also Jones for kicking out Benson! If he had done a Luton he would have left
@Dylrufc_: The status of the referees in this league
@Nozza1903: Every weekend I think the EFL referees can’t be any worse off than the week before, but they never seem to surprise me
@KiranExley: Gets worse the longer you watch it. Shocker #rufc
@Callum__RUFC: Absolute screamer from the referee, we would have scored points too
@rufcmiller89: Where do you find these shitty speakers #rufc
@joe04johnson: The only way to stop the game is if it’s red.
@officialyspeedo: I wouldn’t say anything to the PGMOL about this, everything just seems to be going wrong… Well done, I’m not the manager who would get sent off for being crazy or anything like that
@fut_trader_D: I thought it would be quite reasonable if you sent the last man away, but no. That’s two shameful decisions in 5 seconds.
