This was a true relegation six pointer. Millwall needed a win to go level on points with their hosts and re-ignite their season. It was the Millers though who claimed the three points with five minutes to go and as a result moved six points clear of their opponents who occupy the final relegation spot.
It all started so well for Millwall as they took lead on 20 minutes from a Martyn Woolford volley which looped over Adam Colin. Throughout the first half the Lions looked comfortable as the Millers looked well short of ideas of how to get back into the game. In the second half Rotherham came out fighting and got themselves on level terms within 90 seconds. The ball pin balled around in the box until Danny Wards pounced upon the ball, his deflected shot deceived Forde and went in. The Millers turned the screw hitting the post and having a penalty appeal turned down either side of Arnason’s goal line clearance. The Millers found the winner they deserved 5 minutes from time. Kari Arnason leapt highest and powered the ball home to give his side a crucial win. Millwall are not down and out yet but its a long way back for them. For the Millers its very much in their hands now.
| Adam Colin: Made a crucial from Lee Gregory at 1-0, did his job and kept his side in the game. | 7.0 |
| Jack Hunt: Very strong performance, most notably going forward. Unlucky not to score with a shot midway through the second half. | 6.9 |
| Kirk Broadfoot: Looked very edgy and being honest I thought he didn’t have a great game. Looked way off the pace and his positioning for headers was poor. | 6.4 |
| Kari Arnason: Redeemed himself for his slip against Watford with a crucial goal. Aside from the goal I also thought that defensively he was a little edgy. Carrying the ball forward though he was superb, found himself all over the pitch. | 7.1 |
| Zeki Fryers: Still not convinced by him. Got on the wrong side of Fabbrini a number of times and think he’s too slow in his distribution. I think he has the potential to be a good player but in their predicament the Millers need one now. | 6.5 |
| Conor Newton: He wasn’t great in the first half. Second half much improved and offered energy down the right hand side. | 6.6 |
| Paul Green: Tackling, energy and drive. Standard performance from the captain. | 7.2 |
| Richard Smallwood: Rotherham’s best player, again. Just sat in front of the defence all game, broke the play up and sprayed the ball about. Never wasted a pass. | 8.2 |
| Ben Pringle: Two assists and again was a threat down the left, hopefully he can perform well on a consistent basis now. | 7.2 |
| Matt Derbyshire: Worked hard harrying the Millwall defence and linked up well with Danny Ward. Was well marshalled though and didn’t really get a sniff of goal. | 6.8 |
| Danny Ward: Lively, quick and strong. Very well taken goal and looks like he enjoys playing with Derbyshire. | 7.5 |
Substitutions
| Adam Hammill: Looked lively when he came on, think he did a trick to many at times rather than just shooting or crossing. | 6.6 |
| Lee Frecklington: Late cameo, didn’t really have much time to make an impact. | N/A |
| Conor Sammon: Same for Sammon, late cameo and limited time. | N/A |
Millwall
| David Forde: Fine save in the second half to keep it at 1-1, but he looked very nervy throughout. | 6.8 |
| Nadjim Abdou: Looked overwhelmed by Ben Pringle and Fryers down his right hand side, couldn’t really cope. | 6.5 |
| Alan Dunne: Lost quite a few headers against two considerably smaller players, decent first half but poor in the second. | 6.4 |
| Jos Hooiveld: A little bit better but not by much, just looked edgy. | 6.5 |
| Dan Harding: He was decent. Defended well but didn’t offer much of a threat going forward. | 6.7 |
| Shaun Williams: Thought he did quite well on the ball and quickly laid it off to more lively players. | 6.7 |
| Michael Tonge: Thought he put in a strong and commanding performance in the midfield but not on the same level as Smallwood | 6.7 |
| Martyn Woolford: Probably Millwall’s strongest player. Very well taken goal and caused problems for the Millers defence. | 7.2 |
| Diego Fabbrini: Also thought he had a strong game when on the ball with pace, trickery and skill. Went missing at times though. | 7.0 |
| Gary Taylor-Fletcher: Battled for his team and held the ball up well. Assist for the first goal too. | 6.8 |
| Lee Gregory: Constant threat throughout with his harrying of the Millers defence, finishing was poor though. | 6.8 |
Substitutions
| Ricardo Fuller: Won a few header, but that’s about it. | 6.5 |
| Aiden O’Brien: Added a little energy down the wing, didn’t really do much on the ball though. | 6.5 |
| Ed Upson: Didn’t really have much time to make an impact. | N/A |
Man of the Match
| Richard Smallwood: It’s easy to see why Middlesbrough are doing so well this season if they are able to let players like Smallwood leave. He’s making a strong case to be Rotherham’s Player of The Season with his consistent performances. Today he was outstanding, broke up the play and always found a team mate with his passing. | 8.2 |
