A brace from Reeco Hackett and a goal from Ben House secured three points for City.
Hackett gave the Imps the lead in the first half and House extended the lead after a chipped shot over the head of the goalkeeper Ted Cann, before Hackett sealed the deal just before the end of the first half.
The Imps controlled the second half and never looked like conceding, though they were unable to add further goals to the scoreline.
City's first chance was a corner after five minutes, taken by Ivan Varfolomeev. The ball landed on the head of the Millers’ Sam Nombe before going out for a throw-in. Ivan Varfolomeev gained possession at the edge of the box, then passed it to House who controlled the ball and took a shot, but the attempt was deflected and went out for another corner.
The Imps caused problems in the Rotherham box after 15 minutes when Tom Hamer took a long throw which was headed away by the opposition, but fell to Jack Moylan who sent it back into the box. The ball was passed between a few players from both teams before being cleared.
Hackett fire the Imps ahead after 17 minutes with a shot from just inside the area, which Cann could not keep out.
City increased their lead after 33 minutes through House. Hackett ran down past all opposition players on one side of the box before passing the ball to House, who was in the centre of the goal area. He gathered it at his feet and chipped Cann, despite the visiting keeper getting a hand to the ball.
The Imps continued to look confident and Moylan fired a shot towards goal from outside the box after 39 minutes which narrowly missed the target.
Goalscorer Hackett got his second just before the break. The Imps had seen some shots blocked in the area before the ball got deflected into Hackett’s feet and he finshed into a bottom corner.
Rotherham made a change at the break with Ar’Jany Martha coming off for Dan Gore, while City remained unchanged.
The Imps brought the first bit of pressure to the second half after 50 minutes when Rob Street went one-on-one with Cann as both raced to get to the ball first and clashed legs, but the keeper got the final kick.
Street had a chance again after 60 minutes when he took on two of the opposition players in the box. He pushed through both of them before shooting, but the goalkeeper managed to block it. City had a few chances after this due to consecutive corners on either side of the goal. Moylan was able to get a header from a corner at the goalmouth after 62 minutes, but the ball was punched away.
The Imps made a double change after 68 minutes, as Dom Jefferies and Ryan Oné replaced Moylan and Street.
Oné made his first contribution with a powerful cross across the box after 72 minutes, which was aimed at Hackett but was intercepted. The corner was taken and landed in the area, where Hamer's header was tipped just over the bar.
Shortly after the Imps were causing more problems when the ball landed with Conor McGrandles, who fired a shot from outside the box which went just wide after 75 minutes.
The Millers made two more changes after 79 minutes as Reece James and Liam Kelly came off for Lino Sousa and Brandon Cover. City followed this and changed Varfolomeev and goalscorer Hackett for Tom Bayliss and Alfie Lloyd after 83 minutes.
The Imps had another opportunity in the area as Jefferies ran through the centre and got to the ball on the penalty spot. He was tackled just as he was taking the shot, and play was taken to the halfway line.
City’s final change saw Hamer come off for Deji Elerewe after 87 minutes. The Imps finished the game without any late drama.
Imps: Wickens, Darikwa, Towler, Hackett (83’ Lloyd), Moylan (68’ Jefferies), McGrandles, Bradley, Street (68’ Oné), House, Hamer (87’ Elerewe), Varfolomeev (83’ Bayliss).
Subs not used: Jeacock, Ring.
Millers: Cann, Rafferty, Jules, Kelly (78’ Cover), James (79’ Sousa), Nombe, Martha (46’ Gore), Baptiste, Agbaire, Benson, Watmore.
Subs not used: Dawson, Holmes, Biancheri, Ayres.
Referee: Craig Hicks
Attendance: 10,071 (947 away)
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