Lessons to be learned: Millers, Boro, Leeds, Owls, Bantams and Rovers have points to ponder

Rotherham United claimed their first win over Middlesbrough in half-a-century as Neil Warnock’s bandwagon reached overdrive and Boro suffered another bitter loss at a relegation-threatened Championship side.

Leeds United claimed their first win at bogey side Cardiff since 1984 and it was a good night for West Yorkshire, with Huddersfield Town and Bradford City chalking up home victories.

There were mixed feelings for Sheffield Wednesday, whose winless streak stretched to five games, but they still claimed a decent point at Brighton, now third.

Tthe misery continued at Doncaster Rovers, who slumped to their seventh loss in eight matches in a 2-0 derby defeat at Scunthorpe.

As for Hull, it is back to the serious business of league matters after an FA Cup lesson at the hands of Arsenal.

Five observations from the midweek action:

History-making Rotherham United have the survival tools. Middlesbrough lack leaders and a strong jaw.

The Millers have quickly assumed the DNA of prototype Neil Warnock sides. Graft, organisation, attitude and a bit of a snarl to boot. They may have been distinctly second best during a one-sided first-half to Boro when the Teessiders carved out a number of top-class chances, but like an experienced boxer, Warnock side’s hung on and used the ropes to their advantage.

The second half was a different story to the first with the Millers - perhaps sensing Boro’s deflation after a litany of missed opportunities - sensing blood as the game went on and the visitors got more panicky. Sometimes in the Championship, it’s about having a strong jaw and the Millers stayed on their feet before landing a hay-maker on Boro late on.

For Aitor Karanka’s men, it was their latest poor result against a Championship struggler and another episode of them lacking the hunger and desire of their opponents.

Deservedly beaten at Bristol City, lucky to get a point at MK Dons and bullied at Blackburn, Boro were deficient in the final analysis and lacked leaders. How they could do with Dani Ayala and Grant Leadbitter returning to the fray and after two poor misses, David Nugent looks ripe for a benching, with Jordan Rhodes needing to get a clear run.

Leeds United’s most impressive result in some time - at a key juncture.

You had to go back to 1984 for United’s previous win in this part of the Principality and on a night when just one side in the top 10 won, the visitors’ eye-catching win at Cardiff was one of the outstanding results.

It had been a good while since Steve Evans celebrated an away win, let alone two wins on the trot, but it has arrived at a welcome juncture - as United recorded back-to-back triumphs and a first success on the road since just before Christmas.

Sometimes, you have to go through a bit of pain and soul-searching in order to deliver a response. Leeds - after last week’s X-rated horror show at Brighton – did that to produce a head-turning victory in which they were indebted to a fine display by Marco Silvestri and a stirring team ethic conspicuous in its absence at the Amex.

Silvestri has had his knockers in recent weeks, but was in tip-top form at Cardiff, with another player derided earlier this season in Giuseppe Bellusci, also producing a solid performance to continue his mini-renaissance. Their compatriot, Mirco Antenucci, also had a good night following his weekend brace - let’s hear it for the Italians.

Only a point, but something to build on against for Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls have been doing it tough for a fair few reasons and have had cause to rail against officialdom. Commendably on his part, Carlos Carvahal has kept a lid on his emotions in the hope of his team doing the talking again.

A point at Brighton is not a headline statement, but as Championship results go against a side who hit four on their previous home outing, is was a sound one. Five games without a win the Owls may be, but they at least started to vanquish memories of their shock weekend loss to Rotherham and with Fernando Forestieri now available again following suspension, they can now attack Saturday’s game at Forest after a decent point at a play-off rival. Teams who draw at Brighton - and Hull for that matter - can not be a bad side. Wednesday are a good side and this result can provide a platform again. There is time yet.

A shot in the arm for Bradford City.

After a dismal draw at Bury and poor previous midweek show against Colchester, the arrival of league leaders Burton got the best out of City, who moved level on points with sixth-placed Barnsley with one of their results of the season.

The result was made all the more meaningful, given the fact that the key duo Rory McArdle and James Hanson were missing, which put gloss on a strong night when Bradford displayed their squad prowess.

City were good value for victory, thanks to first-half goals from Kyel Reid and Reece Burke against the division’s most miserly defences and warmed up for Saturday’s derby with Doncaster nicely - and confidence levels hit particularly by that defeat to Colchester seven days earlier should now be restored, with Paul Anderson’s impending return also a welcome development

Will Doncaster Rovers’ wretched sequence ever come to an end?

Proof that Doncaster Rovers are really in the doldrums is the fact that they have now been beaten twice by neighbours Scunthorpe United, a team who they have turned over for fun in recent seasons.

Rovers are in total freefall, with seven losses in their last eight matches and no wins in 10 games. Relegation form.

Deficiencies look glaring in all departments and a derby at Bradford at the weekend is their next assignment. Rovers need some sort of catalyst or else they will find themselves in the bottom four come Easter. If not before.