On-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 0 Coventry City 1

ROTHERHAM United's survival hopes suffered a crushing blow as they went down in the relegation clash they could ill afford to lose this evening.

Playing for the second time in three days, the third-bottom Millers were off the pace against a Coventry City side who began the contest one place above them.

It was a night of desperate disappointment for Paul Warne's men as they knew they would have climbed out of the bottom three with a victory.

They are now four points behind nearest rivals Derby County with seven games left to play.

A 70th-minute decider was the difference between the two sides and Coventry fully deserved their triumph.

Rotherham were indebted to Viktor Johansson in the first minute when he produced a flying save to touch Liam Kelly's long-range effort on to the bar.

Seven minutes later, Sam McCallum's free-kick found its way to Kyle McFadzean who directed his shot wide.

The Millers hadn't settled at all and more Johansson heroics were required on 12 minutes when the Swede thwarted Callum O'Hare with a brave, sharp stop from close range before Matt Godden somehow fired the rebound over.

It was a huge let-off and Johansson needed treatment soon after. That the goalkeeper was fit to continue was a huge relief to the home side who simply weren't in the game.

At last, Rotherham stirred and in the 23rd minute Lewis Wing went agonisingly close to an opener, smacking the inside of the post with a fierce drive from an angle on the right.

On the half-hour mark, Godden fired over for the visitors, but the Millers, after that shocking start, were now starting to see more of the ball in the opposition half.

However, Johansson was needed again in the 35th minute. This time his stop was even better than his previous efforts as his outstretched hand kept out Tyler Walker's header.

Michael Ihiekwe, back after a hamstring injury, had a sight of goal for the Millers, although his header from Wing's free-kick was well off target.

Dominic Hyam was lucky to escape censure when he flew in high on Jamie Lindsay, a challenge that left skipper Richard Wood raging at referee Jarred Gillett.

Fortunately, the Millers midfielder was okay and was able to troop off at the break with the rest of his teammates, all of them knowing that they had to improve after the interval.

Having rested several key men in Tuesday's 3-1 win over QPR, manager Warne named his strongest line-up against the Sky Blues.

That meant returns for Michael Ihiekwe, Richard Wood, Jamie Lindsay, Lewis Wing and Michael Smith.

Freddie Ladapo scored twice against QPR but picked up a groin niggle in that game and was named on the bench.

In a second half of few chances, Johansson was finally beaten in the 70th minute when Leo Ostigard headed home a free-kick sent in from the byline.

Rotherham, in action again on Sunday as the matches continue to come thick and fast, were left to reflect on their AESSEAL New York Stadium form this season.

They have the worst home record in the division and were beaten by the side with the worst away form.

Two games in hand over Derby are their biggest hope of staying up.

Goals: Ostigard 70 (Coventry).

Rotherham (3-5-1-1): Viktor Johansson; Michael Ihiekwe (Kieran Sadlier 87), Richard Wood, Angus MacDonald; Matt Olosunde (Ryan Giles 60), Jamie Lindsay (Chiedozie Ogbene 77), Lewis Wing, Ben Wiles (Freddie Ladapo 60), Wes Harding (Clark Robertson 77); Matt Crooks, Michael Smith. Subs not used: Jamal Blackman, Shaun MacDonald, Dan Barlaser, George Hirst.

Coventry (3-4-1-2): Ben Wilson; Leo Ostigard, Kyle McFadzean, Dominic Hyam; Julien Dacosta, Liam Kelly, Matty James, Sam McCallum; Callum O'Hare (Gustavo Hamer 77); Tyler Walker (Maxime Biamou 71), Matt Godden (Viktor Gyokeres 71). Subs not used: Marko Marosi, Michael Rose, Jamie Allen, Amadou Bakayoko, Jordan Shipley, Josh Eccles.

Referee: Jared Gillett (Merseyside).