on top scorer Shawn Goater's performance last night at Goodison Park, Second Division Rotherham were hurt by the sending off of goalkeeper Billy Mercer as they crashed 3-0 to Premier League team Everton in the second leg of their English League Cup second-round tie.

The Bermudian striker, with scouts from at least a couple of top clubs looking on, failed to add to the goal he scored against Everton in the first leg two weeks ago as the home team wiped out that one-goal lead in the 24th minute on their way to a 3-1 aggregate win.

Everton were thankful that Paul Rideout was at his brilliant best as he scored two glorious goals. Rotherham dominated the early stages of the game and came close to scoring when Ian Banks' long, driven ball found Des Hazel who in turn hit a thundering left-foot shot just clearing the Everton goalpost.

Rotherham ran Everton ragged with fine individual skill from 21-year-old Goater causing every threat to the Everton defence. With 17 minutes gone the pacy Goater was allowed a yard of space and that was all he needed as he sprinted past Blues defender Dave Watson to drill a shot just over the Everton crossbar.

But it was Everton who broke the deadlock after 24 minutes when a neat cross from striker Peter Beagrie found Rideout who connected with a header to put the home side ahead.

Moments later it went all wrong for the visitors when a perfect ball from Polish international star Robert Warzycha sent Rideout through again only to be brought down by Rotherham 'keeper Mercer. With no hesitation referee Vic Callow pointed straight to the penalty spot and then gave Mercer his marching orders for the professional foul.

Up stepped Tony Cottee to then blast his penalty past stand-in 'keeper Nicky Law to make it 2-0, a 2-1 lead overall.

Seconds from half-time Everton should have made it three but hard, solid defending from Goater denied Cottee a scoring chance.

Goater seemed Rotherham's only hope when a well-worked move resulted in him sweeping a wide ball to Des Hazel who noticed Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall off his line and floated a curling lob, which brought off a stretch and acrobatic save from the Welsh 'keeper.

Everton now had the game in their hands and a 69th-minute darting run from Warzycha led the way for Rideout to cleverly fire home his second goal of the game.

With only four minutes remaining a tired Goater, who worked very hard all game, was substituted for Neil Richardson. Visitors Rotherham left Merseyside with their heads held high for it was an excellent all-round performance from the Yorkshire side but Everton battled on convincingly to deserve a place in the next round.

Speaking after the game the Bermuda international said: "We came here to get at Everton and we worked very hard. When our 'keeper left the field we knew they were going to do their best to get at us.

"It was very disappointing for all the lads but that's the way it goes. It is very hard with 10 men to try to impress the Premier League scouts.'' HALTED -- Shawn Goater finds his progress hindered by Everton defender David Unsworth during yesterday's League Cup match at Goodison Park. Everton won the second leg 3-0. Picture: Colin Lane, Mercury Press Agency.