ANALYSIS: Pride but no points for beaten Millers

Rotherham United produced three of the things at Brentford on Saturday that Paul Warne wants to see in the final weeks of a harrowing season. Only the points were missing.

The pity was that for the fans at home and the wider footballing world, the match will go down as just another failure for the Championship's weakest team.

The result was hard on the Millers, especially after twice clawing their way back to level, missing an open goal at 1-1 and then being stung by an unlucky penalty decision.

But the 17th away defeat ouf of 18 also exposed familiar failings, not just defensively but in the lack of staying power.

It was the third match in four that they'd conceded late goals, the three games against Blackburn, Huddersield and Brentford producing just one point when it could so easily have been five.

Although that might not have made a huge impact on league position, it would have raised spirits and quelled restless and critical fans.

They want to see hope, progress and some sort of foundation for next season and that means going out, putting on some entertainment and sticking a few points on the board.

PLAYER RATINGS: How did Rotherham United rate at Brentford?

The first half at Grifftin Park was a long way from what's required.

Even with Danny Ward, Tom Adeyemi and Semi Ajayi back in, Rotherham were uninspired, ordinary and second best to a typically nimble, quick-passing Brentford side getting by without a recognised striker.

They led through Spanish forward Jota's close-range finish and could have had more, especially when the returning Aimen Belaid sliced a clearance onto his own post.

The aggression introduced to Rotherham's play in the second half was welcome.

There was more bite to their challenges, more purpose in everything they did and even though they still had to be on their toes at the back, they'd already carved out a one-on-one chance for Ward when Belaid's looping header restored parity in the 67th minute.

It might have all turned out different if Jon Taylor hadn't tainted yet another bright performance with a bad miss, heading into the ground and over an open goal when it looked easier to score.

REACTION: Warne pleased with desire of Rotherham United players

As Rotherham know only too well, Championship sides punish mistakes and the home side did just that when Nico Yennaris pounced close in to make it 2-1.

Millers sub Anthony Forde's second-half cameo was his best for the club so far. He centred for Belaid's goal and his cracking, 87th minute strike from distance was worthy of a point.

Referee Andy Davies didn't give Rotherham much and certainly not the benefit of the doubt when the ball rolled up onto Semi Ajayi's hand in stoppage time.

Hard to take as Jota's resulting penalty for 3-2 was, his hat-trick effort from a breakaway off the last play of the game was an even crueller blow for a team now black and blue with them.