Rotherham United 2-1 Nottingham Forest: Struggling Millers claim vital victory

Michael Smith scored one goal and made another as Rotherham boosted their Championship survival hopes with a gutsy victory over play-off chasing Nottingham Forest.

Smith struck early on, finding the far corner from close range after Forest failed to deal with a long throw in.

Lewis Grabban levelled before half-time, calmly scoring at the second attempt after being sent through.

But Michael Ihiekwe's header secured the Millers a first win over Forest since 1956 and lifted them to one point off safety.

Millwall's win over West Brom ensured Rotherham stay in the bottom three.

Forest remain ninth in the table, but are now five points adrift of the top six following Aston Villa's win over Sheffield Wednesday and draws for Bristol City and Derby County.

The visitors had not lost in 23 games against Rotherham and, although they started well, that record was soon under threat.

A clever Yohan Benalouane backheel hit the inside of the post and somehow rolled across the line before being cleared as the Reds pressed.

But it was the Millers who went ahead though, Smith turning the ball home at the back post.

Forest then hit the post again through Grabban's improvised hooked effort but, after Jon Taylor skied a strike over the bar at the other end, Grabban's 17th goal of the season made it 1-1.

Grabban remained a big threat after the break and came close to putting the visitors ahead.

But Rotherham's direct approach and set-piece threat continued to cause danger and Ihiekwe's header from a corner was enough to earn victory.

Rotherham United manager Paul Warne told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"Every win is to be cherished. The lads literally gave everything they've got from the first to the 95th minute. The points are absolutely essential to all the teams for different reasons now.

"Overall I am really pleased with the lads and they should take great pride from (this result).

"We simplified the game a little bit and for them to come away with a win will give them massive confidence. And I just think it shows you how together they (the players) are."

Nottingham Forest manager Martin O'Neill said:

"I am naturally disappointed we conceded from the set-pieces, we have tried in recent weeks to be as strong as we possibly can defensively.

"I thought we would go on to take control of the game. These type of margins in games like this are everything.

"This is not the early part of the season where we can look at it. We are in the real business end now and to lose games like this is obviously a set-back for us."