Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s thumping strike was enough to give Premier League Fulham a narrow FA Cup third-round win over Championship strugglers Rotherham at Craven Cottage.

Harry Wilson pressed the centre-back inside the Millers’ box and half-blocked his pass with the ball falling to De Cordova-Reid, who lashed it high into the net from 20 yards.

Fulham came close to a second when Andreas Pereira’s mishit volley came back off the post late in the first half before Tosin Adarabioyo’s firm header was tipped over the bar by Rotherham goalkeeper Viktor Johansson early in the second.

Rotherham seldom threatened the home goal, although Jordan Hugill had the ball in the net a couple of minutes after Fulham’s opener, but his back-post finish from Tom Eaves’ wayward shot was ruled out for offside.

Leam Richardson’s side forced some pressure late on with captain Sean Morrison’s long throws keeping the Fulham defence on their toes but the hosts held on to progress to the fourth round.

Fulham lack spark but get the job done

After an early long throw-in was flicked wide by Hugill, the game quickly settled into a pattern with Marco Silva’s side on the ball and Rotherham sitting deep and inviting the hosts to break them down.

It proved to be a challenge for a much-changed Fulham team and, despite having 74% possession in the first half, they had mustered just one shot on target – De Cordova-Reid’s fine strike.

Part of that was down to some brave Rotherham defending as players threw themselves in front of shots but there were also helped by some sloppy Fulham play in the final third.

Tosin’s header aside, the closest Fulham came to a second goal was after another Rotherham mishap as Johansson fumbled a cross, failed to collect the loose ball and was relieved to see Rodrigo Muniz’s shot-on-the-turn blocked.

Ultimately, though, Fulham did what they needed to. They got in front and, with Rotherham offering next to nothing as an attacking force for much of the game, their place in the next round rarely appeared in doubt.

So, while Rotherham can content themselves with a creditable performance in defeat – one that extends their winless run away from home to 29 games – Fulham can look forward to an exciting Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool on Wednesday with the hope that another cup run may just be getting started.

‘We nullified them in many areas’ – what they said

Fulham manager Marco Silva: “Going through in the competition was our aim, our desire was clear and we deserved it.

“Not the best performance when you have so many changes in the XI. They have the quality to start a Premier League game but when you change seven or eight from one game to another it will always have an impact.”

Rotherham manager Leam Richardson: “You’ve got to be pleased. You’re coming to a really well-coached Premier League team in Fulham and I thought we nullified them in many areas, and had a goal disallowed.

“It’s always disappointing when you lose a game but respect to Fulham.

“We’re not going to face much stiffer opposition than we did tonight and [the players] take great credit with that. They’ll grow as a team and individuals. It’ll only benefit us moving forward.”