Crystal Palace did their play-off hopes the world of good with a comfortable win over Rotherham at Millmoor.

Two goals from Tommy Black and one from Julian Gray helped an understrength Eagles side into ninth and within three points of the play-off places.

The home side made a confident start on the back of their 6-2 victory away to Burnley last weekend.

A Paul Hurst cross found Alan Lee who got up above the Palace defence to power in a firm header, but keeper Alex Kolinko was well placed to save.

John Mullin then went on a powerful run and put in a useful ball into the danger area but he was unable to find a team-mate.

But Rotherham fell behind to a breakaway goal in the 12th minute.

Key moments

12 mins: Black opens the scoring after a strong Adebola run 45 mins: Gray doubles their lead on the stroke of half-time 51 mins: Black gets his second of the game 69 mins: Byfield scores from the rebound after Lee misses a penalty

Dele Adebola picked up the ball well inside his own half and ran at the home defence.

He shrugged off the challenge of Hurst and squared the ball for Black who had the simple task of poking home.

Rotherham could have been back on level terms five minutes later when Kolinko failed to collect a cross and the ball fell to Paul Warne, but his shot was blocked on the line by Darren Powell.

Rotherham's best hopes seemed to be from some penetrating long throws from Rob Scott.

A Scott missile led to a Rotherham corner that Chris Swailes won powerfully in the air but it flew just over the bar.

Shortly before half-time another long throw fell for the influential Mullin who turned to shoot but it looped harmlessly over the bar.

On the stroke of half-time Palace went two ahead with another sucker punch.

Shaun Derry fed Gray whose pace took him free and he fired in a left-foot shot past keeper Mike Pollitt.

Palace proved too strong for Rotherham

Palace continued to look dangerous and Adebola should have done better with Gray unmarked in the box, but he hesitated and allowed the defence to get back and snuff out the danger.

In the 51st minute Rotherham were left with a mountain to climb when Black grabbed his second of the game.

He picked up the ball on the left and cut inside before curling a shot into the top corner with Pollitt unable to get anywhere near it.

Rotherham were handed something of a lifeline when Aki Riihilahti gave away a penalty for handling in the area.

Lee saw his spot-kick saved by Kolinko, but substitute Darren Byfield was quickest to the rebound and fired home.

Ronnie Moore's side refused to give up the chase and Andy Monkhouse should have scored in injury time but Kolinko again saved well.

Rotherham were left to rue more dropped points at home, with just four wins in 12 league games this season.

Rotherham: Pollitt, Scott, Swailes, McIntosh, Hurst, Warne, Mullin, Daws, Monkhouse, Richard Barker, Lee. Subs: Gray, Bryan, Talbot, Byfield, Robins.

Crystal Palace: Kolinko, Powell, Symons, Borrowdale, Butterfield, Mullins, Gray, Riihilahti, Black, Derry, Adebola. Subs: Michopoulos, Williams, Antwi, Heeroo, Togwell.

Referee: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire)