Victorious Rotherham United boss Neil Warnock backs Sheffield Wednesday for play-off success

Matt Derbyshire’s first-half effort secured the Millers a vital three points in their fight to escape relegation to League One.

Rotherham remain unbeaten at Hillsborough since 1981 after riding their luck, television replays showing the Owls wrongly had a ‘goal’ disallowed after Michael Turner was flagged offside.

They suffered their first home defeat since August but a relieved Warnock, while praising his battling Millers, believes the Owls are good bets for play-off success.

“They are a good side, and if they get in the play-offs – which I think they should do – I think they will have a good chance of going up,” said Warnock.

“The way they play, against most teams, it will be spot on.

“I thought we restricted their play and it will probably be their most difficult game for the rest of the season.

“If we have had a bit of luck (for Turner’s disallowed effort), I think it’s well deserved. The penalty last week against Brentford, and one not given against Reading, shows we haven’t had a lot of luck.”

Victory keeps the Millers third from bottom, but within three points of MK Dons, although their next three games are daunting as they host second-placed Middlesbrough tomorrow, followed by fifth-placed Derby County on Saturday, before a trip to Ipswich.

“We have a group of lads, but are short in certain positions and need a bit of luck with injuries,” said Warnock.

“We have three tough games coming up, and I will make changes, because I don’t think some of them can play three games in a week.”

Asked if he could become a ‘Messiah’ and save Rotherham from the drop, Warnock joked: “I don’t know, I am going to try and have a walk across my pond over the weekend. If I get to the island in the middle without using my boat, I will tell you.”

Defeat means sixth-placed Wednesday are on a four-match winless run, which has allowed the chasing pack of Cardiff, Birmingham and Ipswich to cut the gap. One point separates the four clubs who at present, seem to be fighting for the final play-off spot.

After Fernando Forestieri’s controversial red card last time out, Owls head coach Carlos Carvalhal refused to criticise the officials after Wednesday were denied an equaliser by an incorrect offside flag.

Aiden McGeady’s shot flicked Turner and went into Rotherham’s net, and despite referee Chris Kavannagh initially awarding a goal, his linesman flagged after several Millers players remonstrated with him.

“For the goal we had ruled out in the first half, to me it is not offside,” said Carvalhal. “There was one defender in line with him (Michael Turner) and that is why the referee gave it as a goal and the assistant didn’t give offside at first.

“But I don’t want to talk too much about referees. I love football and I just want to talk about football. The last four games I am talking about these situations.”