Sheffield Wednesday 0 Rotherham United 1: Millers in derby win at Hillsborough
It gave the Millers a much-needed three points in their bid to fight off relegation and boss Neil Warnock a sweet win over one of his greatest rivals.
Warnock - a long-serving Sheffield United boss - is far from popular at Hillsborough but was able to leave with a smile.
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Hide AdRotherham created the first chance of the game when Danny Ward flicked a header behind the Wednesday defence and Grant Ward volleyed wide.
Danny Ward continued to cause problems for the opposition, winning his side a corner.
Derbyshire (21) scored when he poked home a low cross from Lee Frecklington at the back post, which managed to evade everyone but the Millers frontman.
Ross Wallace delivered a free-kick into a dangerous area and from the rebound Aiden McGeady got around his marker before firing a shot at goal which deflected off Michael Turner and into the net, but the effort was ruled to be offside.
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Hide AdGrant Ward beat his man again and delivered a good cross onto Danny Ward’s right foot, but he was unable to convert with his shot going just wide.
Just before half time, Gary Hooper received the ball with his back to goal and laid the ball off to Jack Hunt who smashed his shot across the face of goal, dragging it just wide.
Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal brought on Lucas Joao at half-time for McGeady.
The Owls started the second half brightly when Joao played in Wallace just outside the box and he curled a shot onto the crossbar, with keeper Lee Camp nowhere near it.
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Hide AdWednesday had another ‘goal’ disallowed in the 60th minute, when Joao fired a shot from range and Hooper converted the rebound from an off-side position.
Joao stretched the opposition again, when a pass was deflected behind the defence but he shot straight at Camp.
The home side continued the press forward, with Joao making his presence felt but Rotherham’s defence stayed strong to the frustration of the home fans at Hillsborough.
Joe Mattock brought down Hunt on the edge of the area and Wednesday then made a change with Lewis McGugan coming on for Hunt.
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Hide AdWith 15 minutes to go, Wallace curled a close-range free-kick around the wall and Camp saved well with his feet.
The Owls carried on pushing forward, but failed to create any clear-cut chances. The Millers showed great determination and resilience to hold on to their clean sheet.
Joao’s deflected shot fell to Hooper with five minutes to go and Camp smothered the ball as the striker tried to work a shot at goal.
Rotherham could have made it two when Leon Best burst through the home defence late on and played in Smallwood, but he chipped the ball wide.
For all the latest from today’s game, check out The Yorkshire Post’s live feed by clicking the link below....