On-the-whistle report: Coventry City 3 Rotherham United 1

After admirable efforts against high-flying AFC Bournemouth and Brentford, the Millers were off their game at St Andrew's and deserved to lose by an emphatic margin at the Sky Blues' temporary home.

The two sides began the contest separated by only one place towards the foot of the table and Rotherham know their fate this season will be decided by their results against the teams closest to them in the second tier.

They fell 2-0 behind inside 12 minutes and, despite making attacking changes, couldn't fashion a comeback and remain in 20th spot.

Substitute Dan Barlaser emphatically despatched an 84th-minute penalty but by then they were 3-0 down and the spot-kick was too little too late.

On a grim afternoon, they also lost Joe Mattock to injury before a third goal for the home side had ended the contest on 73 minutes.

The Millers conceded the first in the sixth minute. Michael Smith had just tested Ben Wilson at the other end when Max Biamou strode through on goal and slotted the ball past Jamal Blackman.

Their troubles worsened soon after as Callum O'Hare's shot hit the woodwork and Tyler Walker lifted the rebound into the net at the far post.

Angus MacDonald headed a corner over as the visitors tried to reply and the lurking Lindsay was almost in when Mattock's 24th-minute cross was fumbled by Wilson but the ball wouldn't fall for the midfielder.

However, it was Coventry who came closest to the next goal, Biamou's overhead kick being diverted by the hand of Blackman and bouncing off the post following Liam Kelly's curling delivery into the box.

Rotherham were indebted to Blackman once more as the interval approached when the keeper spread himself to deny Walker in a one-on-one and prevent a killer third.

Paul Warne's men were glad to hear the half-time whistle so they could head for the dressing room and regroup.

Any second-half response would have to come without the help of Mattock as the wing-back was stretchered off during the break after suffering an injury.

Manager Warne had made only one change to the side that had battled so hard in defeat at the hands of Brentford in midweek.

Centre-half Michael Ihiekwe was brought straight back after his one-man ban, with Matt Olosunde dropping to the bench.

Wes Harding, who'd been part of the three-man backline against the Bees, moved into Olosunde's right-wing-back role.

In the second half, the Millers had more possession but exerted little pressure and Coventry wrapped up proceedings when Leo Ostigard headed home a free-kick.

Rotherham sub Kyle Vassell was fouled with six minutes to go, allowing Barlaser to do his stuff from the spot, but the goal couldn't disguise the shortcomings of the Millers' performance.

Goals: Biamou 6, Walker 12, Ostigard 73 (Coventry); Barlaser pen 84 (Rotherham).

Coventry (3-5-2): Ben Wilson; Leo Ostigard, Kyle McFadzean, Dom Hyam; Fankaty Dabo, Liam Kelly, Callum O'Hare, Gustavo Hamer, Sam McCallum; Tyler Walker (Amadou Bakayoko 78), Max Biamou. Subs not used: Lee Camp, Jamie Allen, Wesley Jobello, Ben Sheaf, Josh Pask, Ryan Giles, Jordan Shipley, Blaine Rowe.

Rotherham (3-5-2): Jamal Blackman; Michael Ihiekwe, Richard Wood (Dan Barlaser H-T), Angus MacDonald; Wes Harding, Matt Crooks, Jamie Lindsay (Kyle Vassell 66), Ben Wiles, Joe Mattock (Matt Olosunde H-T); Freddie Ladapo (George Hirst 54), Michael Smith (Florian Jozefzoon 80). Subs not used: Viktor Johansson, Billy Jones, Adam Thompson, Trevor Clarke.

Referee: David Webb (Lancashire).