More drop concern for frustrated Millers ... on-the-whistle report: Huddersfield Town 1 Rotherham United 0
A BATTLING Rotherham United display was in vain as they lost out in today's derby-day clash in West Yorkshire and saw their League One relegation fears grow deeper.
They were looking good value for a deserved draw against play-off-chasing Huddersfield Town in the lunch-time at the Accu Stadium but conceded in the final quarter of an hour to a nervous home side who had been barracked by their own fans.
The result left them still in 22nd spot and kept the margin to safety at two points ahead of the later round of afternoon fixtures.
The fact that the winner was an own goal added salt to Millers' wounds.
Rotherham started well and Harry Gray forced a save from Lee Nicholls after only four minutes.
They remained the more dangerous side and the home goalkeeper had to react sharply to keep out Shaun McWilliams' deflected shot.
The ensuing corner wasn't cleared and Zak Jules looped a header onto the roof of the net.
The home crowd were already exhibiting signs of frustration, despite their side being unbeaten on their own turf in 13 matches.
Around 600 Millers supporters had made the journey and were encouraged by what they were witnessing in the early stages.
Ryan Hardie headed wide as Town mustered a first attempt on goal, on 20 minutes, and, at the other end, McWilliams volleyed too high from just outside the area.
The Millers' energy and pressing continued to frustrate Huddersfield who failed to muster a single first-half attempt on target and were booed off at the break.
That was music to the ears of Matt Hamshaw's men as they sought to extend their unbeaten run to three matches.
Rotherham, as ever this season, were hit by injuries and the absence of midfielder Dan Gore with the ankle knock he picked up in midweek was a huge blow.
They were under strength in the centre of the park as Dru Yearwood, Kian Spence and Josh Benson were also out, and that meant a rare chance for veteran Liam Kelly.
At the back, Lenny Agbaire came in for his first league start since October.
A welcome sight on the bench was Joe Powell, making his return after a five-match absence with a hamstring issue.
In a Town squad lacking striker Alfie May through illness was Millers old boy Mickel Miller.
The second period continued in the same vein and more dissent could be heard from the stands.
In contrast, Millers supporters were going through a repertoire of chants as the hour-mark approached.
The visitors should have taken the lead when Sam Nombe got to the byline and crossed low only for Reece James to put no power into his shot.
Murray Wallace broke forward to finally bring a save from Ted Cann, which brought sarcastic applause from disgruntled Town followers.
Rotherham strengthened their attacking options by bringing on Duncan Watmore and Joe Powell for the final 20 minutes.
It was defensively where they were found wanting soon afterwards. Cann had kept out Josh Feeney's header, but could do nothing in the 76th minute when the ball skimmed off the head off teammate Agbaire and looped over him into the net.
A Kelly shot was inadvertently blocked by Watmore, a Lino Sousa effort was deflected for a corner and Kelly lifted a last-gasp attempt over the bar.
The final whistle brought misery for the Millers.
In the home seats, there were no more boos – just relief.
Huddersfield (4-2-3-1): Lee Nicholls; Bali Mumba, Murray Wallace, Radino Balker (Josh Feeney 44), Sean Roughan; Ryan Ledson, Cameron Humphreys; Marcus Harness (David Kasumu 62), Antony Evans (Bobby Wales 62), Cameron Ashia; Ryan Hardie (Will Alves 82). Subs not used: Jak Alnwick, Lasse Sorensen, Mickel Miller.
Rotherham (3-1-4-2): Ted Cann; Jamal Baptiste, Lenny Agbaire, Zak Jules (Lino Sousa 78); Liam Kelly; Joe Rafferty (Joe Powell 70), Shaun McWilliams (Gabriel Biancheri 86), Ar'Jany Martha, Reece James (Brandon Cover 86); Sam Nombe, Harry Gray (Duncan Watmore 70). Subs not used: Cameron Dawson, Emmanuel Adegboyega.
Goals: Agbaire og 76 (Huddersfield)
Referee: Martin Coy (Durham)