Middlesbrough 0-3 Rotherham United: Millers ease to deserved win at goalshy Boro
- Published
Matt Crooks took his season's tally to six goals
Rotherham United moved within two points of safety as they consigned Middlesbrough to a third straight home defeat.
The Millers started the stronger and Matt Crooks atoned for a big miss by slotting a low shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Sam Morsy was given a gilt-edged chance to level, teed up by Duncan Watmore's thrilling run, but side-footed straight at goalkeeper Jamal Blackman.
Michael Smith converted a late penalty after keeper Marcus Bettinelli felled Freddie Ladapo, before a composed finish from debutant Ryan Giles capped their biggest win of the season.
Boro had the chance to move back into the play-off spots, but the Millers were ruthless on the counter-attack as they sealed a first win on Teesside since the 1964-65 season.
Britt Assombalonga curled an early effort past the post, but Rotherham carried by far the greater threat in the first half.
Michael Smith powered a shot just wide and Crooks steered an effort off target when clean through after pouncing on Jonny Howson's stray pass before giving United a deserved lead.
Neil Warnock's side improved after the break and dominated possession, with Watmore creating their better moments, and the result may well have been very different had Morsy capitalised on his big chance.
The midfielder was hauled off moments later as part of a triple change in a bid to spark a first home goal in three matches, but the efficient visitors soon doubled the lead before Giles, who completed a loan move from Wolves just 24 hours earlier, compounded Boro's misery just moments after coming on.
A fourth defeat in six league matches left Middlesbrough three points outside the play-off spots in seventh, while back-to-back away wins moved Rotherham within two points of fourth-bottom Derby with two games in hand.
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock told BBC Tees:
"Some of the chances we had to equalise were embarrassing really; if we can't score now I don't know where we go.
"I thought we had enough chances to win the game - the first goal was vital and disappointing and the penalty was a disgrace, he [Ladapo] was offside, but Marcus can't be doing that when he's going away from goal."
On potentially signing Yannick Bolasie from Everton: "He was going to go abroad, but we had a chat and I just said come and enjoy yourself for a couple of months, and it should be happening in the next 24 hours, hopefully."
Rotherham boss Paul Warne:
"I don't think many people gave us a chance coming here tonight, but we thought the way we play we could cause them problems.
"I thought we deserved our win - we rode our luck at times, but the lads put their bodies on the line and we came away with a clean sheet.
"We have a small squad and playing two or three games a week now for the next 10 to 12 weeks is going to be a real test of our strength and our fitness levels."