ANALYSIS: Wolves defeat means Rotherham United tick off another unwanted record

Some might call it unlucky, others might call it careless, but the indisputable fact is that Rotherham United should really have come back from Wolverhampton with three points on Saturday.

Few Championship opponents will play as badly and offer up as many goal-scoring opportunities as Wolves did. They were so ineffective, so bereft of confidence, you still wouldn't bet against them playing the Millers in League One next year.

Rotherham's 28th defeat of the season equals a club record dating right back to 1924/25 as Rotherham County and relegation will soon follow, maybe a little bit quicker as a result.

On the first day of the season, Wolves came out sleepwalking at the New York Stadium and shipped two goals in the first 20 minutes.

It could so easily have happened again if Danny Ward had made the best of two one-on-ones with Carl Ikeme, plopping tame shots at the relieved stopper each time.

For all the talented operators in the home ranks, they are far from being a cohesive unit and their club record £13 million signing Helder Costa was found wanting when he won, then missed, their 35th minute penalty, thanks to a smart stop from Lewis Price.

Only one minute of stoppage time had been signalled when Andreas Weimann — also guilty of an awful challenge on Will Vaulks — chased down and hassled the normally reliable Semi Ajayi into a mistake and then rounded Price to score.

Although it was enough to make Warne's men kick themselves all the way back to the dressing room, at least they didn't droop this time.

The second half looked every bit like one between two struggling sides, Rotherham seeing off an early scare to stay in the game and then work up a head of steam.

Substitutes Jerry Yates had joined Ward up front in a 4-4-2 just before the hour and put a glacing header just over. Jon Taylor came on for the tiring Anthony Forde and stretched tiring defenders.

There was always a feeling there would be another chance and when it came late on it was arguably bigger than the two for Ward. Vaulks flung the ball into the mixer and Ajayi,  just a few yards out, spooned over with the goal gaping.

Wolves walked off to boos, Rotherham walked off with regrets.

The gap to Championship safety is now so big that many have stopped counting but even a point on Saturday would have done wonders for morale.

As it is, the players are going to have to pick themselves up again, dust themselves down and try and end this horrendous season with a bit of pride and a few consolation points.