Rotherham United 0 Gillingham 1: Le Fondre miss proves costly for Rotherham

Mathematically they still are not out of it as they are six points behind and still have two games to play but it’s a mere formality that Rotherham, for so long in the top three this season, are going to miss out on the top seven.

They have won just once in their last 12 matches while manager Andy Scott is still without a win after three games in charge.

To rub it in for Rotherham the winning goal 12 minutes from time had a cruel stroke of luck attached to it.

Gillingham winger Andy Barcham cut in to the area and then saw his shot take a deflection off Ryan Cresswell to leave goalkeeper Jamie Annerson helpless.

Rotherham had the best chance of the game just a few minutes before Gillingham’s winner.

Top scorer Adam Le Fondre had gone on as a second-half substitute and the move seemed set to work when left-back Tom Newey produced a centre from the left which found Le Fondre unmarked in front of goal but from eight yards he put his header wide.

Rotherham produced little in the way of opportunities, but neither did Gillingham, although it needed two saves by Annerson to prevent Cody McDonald from scoring in each half.

Rotherham United: Annerson; Tonge, Cresswell, Fenton (Warne 80), Newey; Marshall (Henderson 46), Harrison, J Taylor, Green; Pope, Thomas-Moore (Le Fondre 65). Unused substitutes: Ashworth, Bradley, Randall, Warrington.

Gillingham: Julian; Sinclair, King (Fuller 69), Richards, Martin; Bentley, Jackman (Lawrence 90), Maher, Barcham (Spiller 81); McDonald, Akinfenwa. Unused substitutes: Nutter, Rooney, Payne, Cronin.

Referee: L Langford (West Midlands).