Rotherham avoid unwanted EFL record by beating Ipswich
Rotherham ensured they are not going to be the worst team in English Football League history since the 46-game season was introduced after beating Ipswich 1-0 at New York Stadium.
The Millers, who are already condemned to Sky Bet Championship relegation, won their first game since January thanks to Tom Adeyemi's 79th-minute goal.
It moves them onto 21 points, beating the record low set by Doncaster in 1997/98. Stoke's record of 17 points is the lowest overall, but that was in a 42-game campaign.
It was a sweet moment for Millers boss Paul Warne, who celebrated a first three points since getting the permanent job earlier this month.
Ipswich, stuck in lower mid-table, were well below their best and the loss means they are the only side not to beat Rotherham over their two fixtures this season.
The Millers could have set the ball rolling in the seventh minute when they became the last of the 92 league teams to be awarded a penalty this season after Jon Taylor was bundled over by Josh Emmanuel.
However, perhaps fitting of their miserable campaign, Danny Ward spurned the chance from 12 yards as Dean Gerken got down well to his left to palm the spot-kick away.
That did not deter the hosts, though, and they had further chances but Semi Ajayi's shot was blocked and Richard Wood failed to connect with a corner.
Ipswich, having made nine changes from their Easter Monday win over Newcastle, were sluggish but came close to stealing the lead nine minutes before the break when Danny Rowe's low shot was palmed away by Richard O'Donnell, with Dominic Samuel slamming the rebound into the woodwork.
Mick McCarthy's men were much better in the second half and dominated the game.
Brett Pitman's attempted lob was saved by O'Donnell when the striker might have taken it further in on goal while Rowe curled a 20-yard effort just wide.
Rotherham found some intensity and substitute Jonson Clarke-Harris was inches away from opening the scoring but his deflected header dribbled just wide.
But from the second phase of the resulting corner, the Millers surged ahead when Adeyemi drove in from close range.
Kieffer Moore had a header cleared off the line by Darnell Fisher as Ipswich tried to rally for a point, but the Millers were able to hold on and celebrate a first win in 18 games.
Source: PA
