Rotherham 3-1 QPR: Freddie Ladapo double boosts struggling Millers
- Published
Freddie Ladapo's double took his tally for the season to nine
Freddie Ladapo scored twice as Rotherham came back from behind to beat QPR and boost their chances of staying in the Championship.
Lyndon Dykes smashed home the opener following the break with his fourth in three games after Osman Kakay's cross sat up nicely for him on the edge of the area.
Ladapo finished well to level for the hosts before putting them in front with a composed shot after Wes Harding had played him in behind the QPR defence.
As the visitors pushed up for an equaliser striker Michael Smith broke away from the halfway line and clipped in a lovely effort on the run to make it 3-1 in time added on.
The Millers, for whom this was the second of four games in eight days, are now just three points adrift of 20th-placed Coventry.
They host the Sky Blues on Thursday and a victory over Mark Robins' side would see them move out of the relegation zone for the first time since 20 February.
Rotherham boss Paul Warne made a triple substitution just before the hour mark with his side 1-0 down and the changes paid dividends in a big way as the hosts wrestled control of the game.
One of them, Lewis Wing, played in Ladapo for his first in the 64th minute and the former Plymouth man slotted in his second just two minutes later from Harding's wonderful outside-of-the-foot pass as the Millers turned the game on its head.
Ladapo had to be subbed off with nine minutes to go with what appeared to be a groin injury, which could put his participation in their forthcoming two games in doubt.
Sub Smith wrapped up the win with a cute finish and he will likely come into the starting XI if Ladapo does miss out on Thursday.
QPR, who visit Middlesbrough on Saturday, could have gone up to ninth with a win but they remain in 11th.
Rotherham boss Paul Warne:
"It's been a good night. For us to win it gives us a real impetus going into Thursday.
"To win that game with three more home games to come, is a good start and it gives us a good chance of survival. I think impetus and psychology is a massive thing. It gives the lads a right boost.
"It was a real spirited performance that got us the three points.
"The subs had a real impact. They were two great finishes from Freddie and Smith's was the icing on top."
QPR boss Mark Warburton:
"At half-time we were thinking if we get the first goal, it will force Rotherham to come out and we can exploit the openings at the back.
"We get the first goal and then, very simply, we did not deserve to win the last half hour. Sometimes you have to roll your sleeves up and do the dirty side of the game.
"I am very respectful of Rotherham. They are very good at what they do. We knew it was coming and we had to deal with it better than we did.
"We are angry and frustrated right now but you have got to take the lessons from that."