Bournemouth 1-0 Rotherham: Philip Billing goal gives Cherries win
- Published
Philip Billing has scored twice in his past four appearances for Bournemouth
Managerless Bournemouth boosted their play-off push with a battling victory over struggling Rotherham.
The hosts, who are understood to be interested in talking to Montreal boss Thierry Henry, won it thanks to Philip Billing's cool finish from 12 yards out from Adam Smith's cut-back.
The Millers improved after the break and only a superb save from Asmir Begovic denied Ben Wiles before substitute Freddie Ladapo blazed over after getting in behind the home defence.
A third win in four games under caretaker Cherries boss Jonathan Woodgate extended their gap over seventh-placed Cardiff to six points.
It was not a vintage performance from the home team but, with the Bluebirds in great form and closing the gap on Tuesday, victory was the most important thing.
Billing's winner, his second goal in four games, came from the home side's only real quality attack of the first half, as Sam Surridge fed Smith's overlapping run before Billing smashed in.
The Millers pushed for an equaliser before the break but Richard Wood could not divert the ball on target after Michael Ihiekwe headed Dan Barlaser's free-kick back across the face of goal.
They will perhaps feel they should have taken a point back to South Yorkshire and probably would have done were it not for Begovic's wonderful stop from Wiles' fiercely struck volley from the edge of the area.
Paul Warne's men, who are one point above the relegation zone, now face a trip to league leaders Norwich on Saturday while Bournemouth visit QPR.
Bournemouth caretaker boss Jonathan Woodgate:
(On the managerial situation) "I don't know what is happening yet. I will speak to the board and see where we go. It is a boring answer but I will take it one game at a time. That is the right answer.
"I have always had an appetite to be involved in football. I am a lover of football at the end of the day."
"It was a battle tonight. We knew from the start what it was going to be like, but the players stuck to the task and got the 1-0 victory.
"It does not matter how you get the victory as long as you get it in the end."
Rotherham manager Paul Warne:
"We were OK. We were pretty pleased how we played. We were good out of possession but not so good in possession.
"The lads in the dressing room are a bit disappointed we have come away with nothing.
"We threw the kitchen sink as best we could and the best compliment that I can pay the lads is that Bournemouth were quite happy to hear the final whistle.
"I am really proud of the team because we gave a good account of ourselves."