On-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 0 Reading 1

They failed to score for the fourth match in succession and a fourth 1-0 reverse on the trot damaged their survival hopes and saw them remain in the third and final relegation spot.

The loss of centre-half Clark Robertson, who limped off in the 15th minute, was a bitter blow after his previous groin and foot problems had cost him almost a year of his career.

It left Paul Warne's men, already without groin victim Richard Wood and suspended Michael Ihiekwe, with an unfamiliar look as they desperately sought to find a way back into the game following the Royals' 26th-minute opener.

Next up is a crucial clash at derby rivals and fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

The brightness of the start matched the sunny weather and Rotherham could have taken the lead as early as the third minute.

Lewis Wing delivered a teasing free-kick into the area and Michael Smith should have done better than head over the bar.

Reading responded with a seventh-minute shot from Omar Richard but Viktor Johansson always had it covered and the goalkeeper tipped it over the bar.

The Millers were hit by an injury and it was painful to see Clark Robertson limping off on the quarter-of-an-hour mark after all his previous groin and foot problems to be replaced by Ben Wiles.

It forced a switch from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 and but the home side weren't knocked out of their stride and, seconds later, the recalled Freddie Ladapo went close with a header.

However, they fell behind when Michael Morrison's header, from Richards' cross, was saved by Johansson but came back to the Reading defender who managed to prod the ball over the line.

Eight minutes later, Matt Olosunde had a clear sight of goal but dragged his shot wide.

Ladapo was next to miss the target when Angus MacDonald's flick-on from Olosunde's ball presented him with a close-range opportunity that he could only fire over the bar.

The division's third-top scorer, Lucas Joao, had put a far-post effort wide in the 29th minute and in the closing stages of the half he was one of several Royals players who couldn't convert a ball that ran invitingly across the six-yard box.

After a punishing run of games, boss Paul Warne had chosen to freshen up his team, bringing in wing-back Ryan Giles, midfielder Shaun MacDonald and striker Ladapo.

Midfield duo Wiles and Dan Barlaser dropped to the bench while Ihiekwe missed out as he served the first game of a two-match ban for ten yellow cards.

Wing-back Wes Harding dropped back into the three-man backline, freeing up room for Giles' inclusion, while Matt Crooks, wearing the captain's armband for the first time, was in midfield, allowing Ladapo to make his first start since the 2-1 win at Preston North End on February 6.

The Robertson setback saw the usual formation ripped up and the Millers going with Olosunde, Harding, Angus MacDonald and Wiles as a makeshift defence.

Rotherham had been the better side in the 15 minutes leading up to the interval and had shown signs they were capable of forcing themselves back into the contest yet it was the visitors who were first to threaten after the restart.

Joao was clear in the 47th minute when Johansson started to come and then stopped but all he could do was loft the ball harmlessly into the grateful keeper's arms.

For the second time in the game, Smith headed over, quickly followed by Ladapo doing the same as the Millers' frustration grew.

Smith had had the ball in the net with a stunning volley on the turn just after the resumption but an offside flag cut short his celebrations.

The home side fought gamely but a wayward 75th-minute shot from Wing and a Trevor Clarke 18-yarder comfortably saved by Rafael Cabral was all they had to show for their push for an equaliser.

They summoned one final attempt in time added on but Wiles' shot deflected agonisingly wide.

Goal: Morrison 26 (Reading).

Rotherham (3-5-2): Viktor Johansson; Wes Harding, Angus MacDonald, Clark Robertson (Ben Wiles 15); Matt Olosunde, Lewis Wing (George Hirst 81), Shaun MacDonald (Trevor Clark 66), Matt Crooks, Ryan Giles (Kieran Sadlier 66); Freddie Ladapo (Florian Jozefzoon 81), Michael Smith. Subs not used: Jamal Blackman, Dan Barlaser.

Reading (4-2-3-1): Rafael Cabral; Andy Yiadom, Michael Morrison, Liam Moore, Omar Richards; Alfa Semedo, Josh Laurent; Andy Rinomhota (Tomas Esteves 86), Michael Olise (Tom Holmes 90+3), Ovie Ejaria (Tom McIntyre 76); Lucas Joao. Subs not used: Luke Southwood, Sam Baldock, Sone Aluko, Dejan Tetek, George Puscas, Mamadi Camara.

Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire).