Rotherham United 0 Nottingham Forest 1 - Paul Warne searching for roadmap to safety

It is finding a roadmap to get out of the Championship relegation zone – and keeping out of it – as opposed to leaving lockdown which is dominating the thoughts of the Rotherham United manager.

His side had hitherto been playing well in 2021, but the hard data of points is what ultimately matters.

Time is on his team’s side, with the Millers having a third of the season still to go, but the clock will begin to tick soon if defeats start to churn out with regularity.

His side have now been beaten in four successive matches for the first time in the Championship this term, with the only consolation from a forgettable night being that relegation rivals Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town both also lost.

In October, Warne had to watch the reverse fixture at the City Ground at home after a family member tested positive for Covid-19 and admitted to ‘kicking every ball’ with his dog Chief present.

Back in his usual position in the technical area here, there was not too much to get animated about for large portions of the game, albeit with a late flurry towards the end.

Much of the animation came from assorted dignitaries in the main stand and it was the Forest contingent who were shouting at the end.

A swirling wind made for a problematic night on an evening high on perspiration and low on inspiration. But Forest found a way in Chris Hughton fashion.

The commitment and organisation of both sides, more especially at the back, was undeniable and it was an occasion when the ball spent an inordinate amount of time in the air as opposed to the deck, with head tennis often being the game of choice.

Both slugged it out in their quest to win the battle and it was not pretty – but it was never going to be given the conditions.

The respect between both managers in Warne and Hughton was obvious before the game as they had enjoyed a good chat and that extended to matters on the pitch when there was not too much to separate their teams.

For all the world, it looked like a night for forging a breakthrough however it came – probably through a set-piece – and then digging in and doing the basics well and seeing the job through.

That is what transpired, with ex-Millers target Ryan Yates – brought in to add a physical presence by the canny Hughton – benefitting after Ben Wiles’s skewed clearance was helped on by Tobias Figuereido following an initial short corner routine involving Anthony Knockaert and Cyrus Christie.

The midfielder netted from close in midway through the second half, although replays indicated that the hosts were unlucky that an offside flag was not raised.

Stirred into life, the Millers showed some urgency that had previously been lacking with substitute Freddie Ladapo just failing to turn in a cross-shot from Wiles before inexplicably delivering a fresh-air shot in front of an open goal with Clarke Robertson’s follow-up blocked in a crowded box.

Michael Smith also headed against the bar in stoppage time from close in. But it was in vain.

Forest just edged a low-grade first-half. Their best moment came just before the break when Viktor Johansson continued his strong form to fling himself to his right to make a textbook save to keep out a well-struck free-kick from Knockaert.

An offside flag rightly thwarted Forest on a couple of occasions, more especially when Glenn Murray converted with a header, while Christie was not far away after cutting inside and firing into the side netting.

The long throws of Christie and Harding also posed issues with Michael Ihiekwe heading one early chance over following Harding’s booming delivery.

Ihiekwe was involved in one other significant development with a tenth booking of the season ensuring that he must now serve a two-match ban.

Forest handled the Millers duo of Smith and Matt Crooks plenty well and limited them to just one opportunity when Smith blasted just wide after being supplied by his strike partner.

The action proceeded to be scrappy on the restart and after a rare moment of quality saw Johansson turn away an angled shot from Knockaert after smart link-up with Christie, the pair played a part in the breakthrough.

Substitute Lyle Taylor almost made the game safe before the action swung to the other end. This was not one to remember.

Rotherham United: Johansson; Olosunde (Ladapo 66), Ihiekwe, A MacDonald, Robertson, Harding; Wing, Barlaser (Giles 80), Wiles (Sadlier 80), Crooks, M Smith. Substitutes unused: Blackman, Clarke, S MacDonald, Jozefzoon, Hirst.

Nottingham Forest: Samba; Christie, Figueiredo, Worrall, Bong; Cafu, Yates; Knockaert (Blackett 87), Krovinovic (Garner 88), Freeman (Lolley 66); Murray (Taylor 75). Substitutes unused: J Smith, Mbe Soh, Colback, Jenkinson, Mighten.

Referee: M Donohue (Greater Manchester).

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