Damaging home defeat for Millers

ROTHERHAM United’s promotion chances in League Two are all but over after a 1-0 defeat to Gillingham at Don Valley Stadium this afternoon.

Andy Barcham’s deflected effort 12 minutes from time proved the difference between two evenly matched sides and left the Millers six points behind the play-offs with only two games remaining.

The visitors had the better of the chances in the first half, with goalkeeper Jamie Annerson twice foiling Gills’ top scorer Cody McDonald and Barcham.

Rotherham’s best opportunities came in the second half, with Ian Thomas-Moore shooting over when well placed and substitute Adam Le Fondre putting a header wide from six yards before the visitors struck.

Manager Andy Scott, who has seen the Millers take only one point from their two Easter fixtures, accepted that promotion is now out of the question.

 “We are where we deserve to be,” he said.

Millers: Annerson, Tonge, Newey, Cresswell (capt), Fenton, Marshall (Henderson 46), Harrison,  J. Taylor, Green, Pope, Thomas-Moore (Le Fondre 66).

Gillingham: Julian, King (Fuller 69), Richards (capt), Maher, Bentley, Barcham, Jackman, Sinclair, Martin, Akinfenwa, McDonald.

Referee: O. Langford

Attendance: 3,455