Rotherham United 1 Northampton Town 0: Le Fondre on mark to decide feisty encounter

Rotherham's Danny Harrison plus Northampton's Craig Hinton and Luke Guttridge were sent off in the second half as tempers flared.

Hinton saw red for the challenge which led to the decisive penalty, converted by Le Fondre on 64 minutes. Guttridge was then dismissed after reacting angrily to a tackle from Harrison, who was sent with him to the dressing rooms.

To add to the visitors' woes Ryan Gilligan had a first-half penalty saved by Andy Warrington as they failed to capitalise on their pressure.

Kevin Ellison had headed into the sidenetting and Josh Walker had a rising 20-yard shot held at the second attempt as Rotherham started brightly.

In a nervy second half Warrington again came to Rotherham's rescue with a good stop from Steve Guinan but Marcus Marshall should have sealed the win for Rotherham but missed after being put clean through.

It was a tight finish for the Millers as they struggled against nine men and they were relieved to hear the final whistle.

Le Fondre's goal, his 28th of the season, ended a run of four successive defeats and helped the Millers consolidate a play-off spot.

Rotherham United: Warrington, Fenton, Gunning, Mills, Sharps, Law (Bell-Baggie 66), Harrison, Walker, Ellison, Marshall, Le Fondre. Unused substitutes: Green, Lynch, Broughton, Annerson, McAllister, Cummins.

Northampton Town: Steele, Rodgers (Thornton 58), Johnson, Guttridge, Hinton, Beckwith, Osman, Gilligan, McKay (Herbert 71), Gilbert, Guinan (Harris 81). Unused substitutes: Dunn, Dyer, Curtis, Davis.

Referee: KG Evans.