Rotherham Titans 30 Nottingham 22: Titans lift gloom without lights.

Rotherham will be delighted at their opponents' decision, though, as they boosted their slim hopes of avoiding the relegation play-offs by toppling the fifth-placed club who are fifth in the league.

On this evidence, Nottingham should have not made such a fuss, and while the Rotherham crowd of little more than 500 was less than half the normal gate at Clifton Lane, the players were not short of loud and partisan support.

In a strong team effort, Rotherham scored tries through centre PJ Gidlow, second row forward Tom Denton – his first since being registered from Leeds Carnegie – and full-back Brad Hunt.

With Jonny West adding three conversions and three penalties, Rotherham achieved a rare league victory, only their sixth in 20 Championship matches.

The Titans' performance delighted coach Craig West who is demanding another four points, better still five, this Saturday when Rotherham are at home to second-from-bottom Coventry, a club which will compete in the relegation play-offs.

West's side know they have a good opportunity to assess and get a psychological advantage by beating a team they are likely to face in March and April during the battle to remain in the Championship.