Titans improve - but it's another defeat

But the result still leaves Rotherham adrift at the bottom after surprise wins for Richmond and Hartpury on Saturday and for Cornish Pirates yesterday. Key's men are now seven points behind London Scottish, who were beaten at Bristol.

They now have a two-week break from league duty with British and Irish Cup games against Connach and then Richmond, giving Key's men the chance to claim a welcome victory.

“I thought we dominated enough from a forwards point of view and physically at times to get more out of the game and certainly we should have done in the first half," he said. "That didn’t happen and as a result going in at 24-0 it’s a big uphill battle thereafter.”

Titans were much better at the breakdown and stronger in defence with Key just needing to iron out costly glitches.

Bedford exposed several as they eased to a 24-0 interval lead playing down the slope.

Titans did rally and caused the hosts problems at time and Jake Henry pulled a try back, only for Bedford to score a crucial fourth try and snuff out any outside hopes of a fightback.

A late score from Charlie Maddison proved academic and Rotherham now have to prepare themselves for this weekend's home game against the Irishmen.