Joe Mattock's equaliser against Reading was his first goal of the season
Joe Mattock scored a scrappy last-minute goal to salvage a draw for Rotherham against fellow Championship strugglers Reading.
Sam Baldock put the managerless Royals ahead early on with a finely placed finish past Marek Rodak after latching onto a neat ball into the box from Josh Sims.
Baldock twice threatened to add another before the break, while John Swift also had chances in an opening half dominated by the visitors.
Anssi Jaakkola protected that lead with a number a early second-half saves, foiling Richard Towell and Clark Robertson, before Sims hit the post for the Royals and Will Vaulks had an effort for Rotherham hacked off the line.
Mattock earned the Millers a deserved point with a poked close-range finish, while Vaulks almost snatched all three for the hosts with an effort that dribbled wide in stoppage time.
Despite being denied what would have been just their second Championship away win in 19 matches, the Royals move out of the bottom three.
Rotherham's 10th draw from their past 13 games leaves them 20th in the table and one place above Reading, a side linked with a host of managerial candidates - including Luis Castro of Vitoria de Guimaraes, and Bolton boss Phil Parkinson - since the departure of Paul Clement nine days ago.
Baldock was a constant menace in the first half, heading wide inside two minutes and sending two efforts over the bar after putting the visitors ahead with his fifth goal of the season.
Rodak crucially denied Swift before the break and Jaakkola kept Reading's advantage intact early on in an enthralling second half, which saw Sims go close to winning it and Vaulks dramatically denied a leveller.
But Mattock's first goal of the season ensured a share of the spoils.
Rotherham boss Paul Warne:
"It was a disappointing first half and it wasn't like us. Without Marek [Rodak] we could have been out of the game. We had a conversation at half time. It just didn't feel like it was working.
"I wasn't happy with anyone in the first half. I don't like taking people off at half time but we had to change something. I could have made 10 changes at half time.
"We needed to get the crowd on our side early on and we did not do that. It made it an edgy game. There was a real belief that we were going to get an equalising goal in the second.
"We could not have been as bad in the second half as in the first but I am pleased with a point."
Reading caretaker boss Scott Marshall:
"There is disappointment in the dressing room which is probably a good thing. Nobody likes to lose a goal late on but I was a little bit concerned that we were only one goal up at half time. We had enough chances to be really out of sight.
"I am going to make the most of the situation that is there and try and get as much experience as I can for however long it takes. I am looking forward to the next game. I have enjoyed this week. The nerve jangling of first team football - I have enjoyed that.
"It's good to see a dressing room focused and ready to work for each other. I have enjoyed being around that."
