Derby County's hopes of another Carling Cup adventure this season were ended at the First Round stage this evening at Rotherham United.

The Rams were beaten 2-1 by Rotherham United at the Don Valley Stadium in a closely-fought Carling Cup tie in blustery conditions.

Gary Teale had given the Rams the perfect start on eleven minutes but goals from Paul Warne and Kevin Ellison sent the League Two side into Round Two, as well as an inspired display by Andy Warrington in the Millers goal who superbly denied Jake Buxton and Jay McEveley in the closing minutes.

Steven Davies again led the attack for the Rams in a side that made just one change to the starting line-up from the XI that defeated Peterborough United on Saturday.

That change was in midfield with Ben Pringle coming in for Paul Green in midfield, who picked up a foot injury in the Peterborough victory.

Despite Green's absence, there was some positive injury news for Manager Nigel Clough with Dean Leacock and Shaun Barker fit and available on the substitutes bench.

In their black away strip Derby had some early defending to do but with eleven minutes on the clock they broke the deadlock.

Goal Man: Gary Teale celebrates breaking the deadlock

Lee Croft's intelligent run in behind the Rotherham defence had the Millers backline completely stretched and the winger - who could have got a shot in himself with just Warrington to beat - pulled the ball back to Gary Teale who slammed the ball into the net.

Just moments later the Rams were forced into a change up front when Steven Davies was substituted with a hamstring injury, which handed an opportunity for Luke Varney to stake a claim for a first-team place in attack.

Ex-Ram Pablo Mills and Nicky Law both flashed shots off target in rare Rotherham attacks midway through the half, but in the closing stages of the half the Millers built up some momentum and a minute before the break they were back on level terms.

A cross into the Rams area wasn't cleared and experienced campaigner Paul Warne showed excellent technique to volley home from ten yards out to level matters at the interval.

Ben Pringle had the ball in the Rotherham net early in the second half but he was adjudged to have been offside and the goal was ruled out,

At the other end Bywater made a fine save from Warne at the near post, but even if the goalkeeper had been beaten the goal would have been ruled out because Warne - like Pringle moments earlier - was offside.

Rotherham were lively in the opening fifteen minutes of the half and clearly buoyed by their goal moments before the break which also lifted the home crowd.

And the home fans were in dreamland when Derby edged ahead on 65 minutes through Kevin Ellison from six yards out. Neat work down the left by Warne teed up the chance for the summer signing from Chester and he clinically made no mistake.

Derby were working hard to create an opening, but with their roses in front Rotherham were determined to keep hold of their advantage.

Great Support: The Rams fans watch the action at the Don Valley Stadium

Lee Croft came close to making it 2-2 with a quarter of an hour left with a header from Gary Teale's deep cross to the far post but Nick Fenton cleared the ball off the goal-line.

Derby began to stamp their authority on proceedings and only a last-gasp clearance by Dale Tonge denied Ben Pringle a certain goal after Teale delivered a pin-point cross to the far post.

With just two minutes left Derby though they had got the equaliser when a free-kick straight into the Rotherham penalty area was met with a firm diving header by Buxton, but at point-blank range Warrington somehow turned the ball away and Rotherham managed to hack the ball away.

Dean Moxey tried his luck from long range in injury time, but with Warrington scrambling across his goal the ball flashed wide and substitute Jay McEveley was denied by the heroic Warrington in the final minute.

That turned out to be Derby's last opportunity of the night as Rotherham held out for the victory after late pressure from the Rams and the place in the Second Round draw tomorrow night.

Derby return to action this weekend with a trip to Scunthorpe United, aiming to make it two wins from two in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Rotherham United: Warrington, Tonge, Sharps, Fenton, Green, Law, Mills, J Taylor, Ellison (Liddell 71), Pope, Warne
Subs: Annerson, Joseph, R Taylor, Harrison, Lynch, Cummins
Goals: Warne (44) Ellison (65)

Derby County: Bywater, Connolly, Buxton, Addison, Croft, Savage, Pringle (McEveley 81), Pearson, Moxey, Teale, Davies (Varney 15)
Subs: Leacock, Deeney, Barker, Mendy
Bookings: Connolly
Goals: Teale (11)

Referee: Mr D Webb