Rotherham United’s relegation worries were increased with a 2-0 loss to Coventry City in South Yorkshire as the visitors rekindled their Championship play-off hopes.

Jamie Allen and Viktor Gyokeres struck in the second half to seal back-to-back wins for Mark Robins, who got a valuable three points at his former club. Defeat sucks Rotherham further into the battle at the other end of the table as Matt Taylor suffered disappointment in his 250th game as a manager.

Rotherham pushed for an early opener and after seeing Jordan Hugill’s header from a corner chalked off, skipper Ollie Rathbone drove just wide after latching onto a poor header from former Millers loanee Brooke Norton-Cuffy.

Coventry’s first effort on goal came from midfielder Gustavo Hamer but it was easily gathered by Viktor Johansson. Johansson was called into action again when fellow Swede Gyokeres led an attack on his own and tried to fire in at the near post. Another chance fell the way of Rathbone on the edge of the box but this time he volleyed over the bar left-footed.

Coventry City's Viktor Gyokeres (right) celebrates with team-mate Matt Godden after scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, Rotherham. Picture: Ian Hodgson/PA

A ball into the Rotherham six-yard box by Jake Bidwell caused panic but Conor Coventry was able to clear despite coming under heavy pressure from Kasey Palmer. Rathbone then laid on a great chance for Hugill but the striker could not direct his header beyond Ben Wilson.

Coventry took the lead after 47 minutes with their first attack of the second half. Bidwell managed to pick out Allen unmarked and he poked a shot low past Johansson. The visitors threatened a second on the counter-attack when Gyokeres was put through by Hamer but he was just beaten to the ball by Johansson before he could get a shot away.

Rotherham tried to crank up the pressure and a succession of set-pieces eventually led to a chance falling to substitute Tariqe Fosu, but his shot dribbled harmlessly wide. Coventry again threatened on the break and Gyokeres was put in on goal by Callum Doyle. He managed to skip past two Rotherham defenders before dragging wide of goal.

Millers manager Taylor went with three up top in a bid to net an equaliser in the final 15 minutes. Substitutes Georgie Kelly, Tom Eaves and Conor Washington led the line but the next opportunity fell to Chiedozie Ogbene and he blasted way off target.

Rotherham United's Chiedozie Ogbene and Coventry City's Viktor Gyokeres tussel and are booked during the Sky Bet Championship match at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, Rotherham. Picture: Ian Hodgson/PA

And Coventry’s victory was sealed two minutes into stoppage time when Eaves was caught out in the middle of the park. Hamer eventually worked the ball to Gyokeres and he lashed it beyond Johansson into the bottom corner.

Rotherham United's relegation worries increased by 2-0 home loss against Coventry City