Rotherham edge 10-man Middlesbrough to secure Championship status

With only Premier League-bound Burnley and Sheffield United amassing more three-point hauls than Middlesbrough’s 22 this season, Rotherham knew Michael Carrick’s side were always going to prove a formidable opposition to overcome.

That threat nearly materialised in the seventh minute as Millers captain Richard Wood prevented his side from going behind by instinctively clearing Riley McGree’s goalbound effort off the line.

Rotherham have been heavily reliant on Chiedozie Ogbene’s goal contributions throughout the season, and they were dealt a blow in the 19th minute as Hayden Hackney’s late challenge forced the hosts’ top-scorer to limp off the pitch in a considerable degree of discomfort.

Already without the influence of Ogbene for the rest of the game, Rotherham’s bad luck on the treatment table continued, with fellow attacking asset Shane Ferguson becoming the latest Millers player forced off through injury.

However, knowing a victory would be enough to secure their status in the Championship for next season, Rotherham were handed a boost in first-half injury time as Middlesbrough defender Anfernee Dijksteel was shown a straight red card for bringing down Jordan Hugill. This provided a much-needed boost for the Millers who had gone winless in the month of May for nine matches.

Within minutes of the second half, Rotherham made their numerical advantage count as Hakeem Odoffin fired the hosts into an invaluable lead in the 48th minute with a sublimely-struck strike from outside of the area that flew into the bottom right-hand corner past Zack Steffen.

Despite playing with a man less, Middlesbrough remained determined to crash the Millers’ survival party, and should have been level in the 67th minute, but second-half substitute Tommy Smith could only blaze his effort high over the crossbar from close range.

Amid referee Keith Stroud nonchalantly waiving away Boro’s appeals for a penalty, the hosts remained composed as they approached the final whistle.

Having held onto their slender lead, Rotherham finally ended their rollercoaster ride between different leagues across the last six seasons. Meanwhile, defeat leaves Middlesbrough with only one victory in their previous six away matches, as Carrick's side will host Coventry City on the final day before their play-off semi-final tie.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Hakeem Odoffin (Rotherham United)