Some things are just inevitable. It is inevitable that we will all die eventually, it's inevitable that United, Chelsea and Arsenal will challenge for the title, and it was almost inevitable that after a pre-season full of hope and optimism that the Imps crashed and burned thanks to a limp display against Rotherham United. City don't have a great record on either opening days or away at the Millers in recent season, but this just showed exactly how much the Imps need to improve in order to challenge for promotion this season.

City were donned in their navy blue and gold third kit, the eighth different kit that City have worn during a game over the past three season. It was the hosts who kicked off and Ryan Taylor was the first man to produce a shot at the Don Valley Stadium, testing Rob Burch with a low effort before Pablo Mills repeated this just moments later.

City's first attack almost resulted in the first goal of the season. Oakes sent a cross deep into the box and Lenell John-Lewis headed just wide of the target. Hudson fired just wide for the hosts before Andy Warrington had to produce a fine save to deny Kevin Gall a debut goal. Gary King hit the site netting following Scott Kerr's corner before the game died for a while.

Aaron Brown almost forced an own goal from Ian Sharps before Burch kept out a Green effort. After a relatively even half, Rotherham took the lead with their first decent shot on target. A long ball over the top was controlled by Reid and he coolly slotted beyond Burch to make it 1-0 to the hosts. City almost came up with an immediate response, King hitting a shot straight at Warrington before the half time whistle blew.

Burch produced a world-class save at the beginning of the second half and it would prove to be the last shot by Rotherham until near the end of the game. City dominated the half and could have easily been level three minutes after the restart, LJL volleying over before he and Gary King went off in place of N'Guessan and Freck. Rhodes then went off for Cummins for the hosts.

Gall had an effort deflected before Frecklington headed an Oakes corner over the bar. City won a free kick 25 yards out and Stefan Oakes curled it goalwards, only another fine save from Warrington prevented City from getting a deserved equaliser before also intercepting the ball from Dany N'Guessan just as the Frenchman was played through on goal.

N'Guessan's shot was blocked before Graham replaced Wright. Graham almost scored with his first touch, hammering a volley just a foot wide of the post and it was looking as though it wouldn't be City's day. The Imps failed to manage another decent effort on goal before the final whistle blew and reality set in that we're not as good as we thought we were.

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