Rotherham United 1-2 Middlesbrough: Boro end five-game winless run against lowly Millers

Middlesbrough's last win came against Preston North End on 16 March

Middlesbrough ended a run of five games without a win as they came from behind to beat Rotherham, who failed to improve their chances of Championship survival.

Angus MacDonald headed in Joe Mattock's corner from close range to give the hosts the lead within just three minutes.

Matt Crooks was sent off soon after for an elbow on Grant Hall and Boro did not take long to level through George Saville's strike inside the box.

Chuba Akpom put the visitors into the lead 10 minutes after the restart and Neil Warnock's side held on for victory.

The result means Rotherham miss the chance to capitalise on Derby's defeat by Preston on Tuesday as they remain four points from safety in the relegation places, with two games in hand on the Rams.

The visitors, who won their first game since beating Preston on 16 March, were without strikers Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher, with BBC Radio Tees reporting that the out-of-contract pair had been told they would not feature in the club's remaining games this season.

Boro were denied an equaliser within two minutes of McDonald's opener when Duncan Watmore stroked home from close range.

However, referee Darren Bond judged him to have kicked the ball out of Millers' keeper Viktor Johansson's hands.

Rotherham's task was made harder as they were forced to play much of the game with 10 players after Crooks was given a straight red for leading with his arm into the face of Hall as they competed for a high ball.

Hall received treatment after being left bloodied from the challenge and was withdrawn for Connor Malley soon after.

Rotherham boss Paul Warne on the red card:

"It's a contact sport and I would be amazed if he went to maliciously hurt him.

"But their bench all went up and made a furore and, while it might have looked like a red from where the referee was, I thought it was harsh and we will certainly appeal it.

"We could have gone on to lose 5-1 if it had been 11-v-11, but I would be lying to say I didn't think it had an impact on the result."

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock told BBC Radio Tees:

"The attitude was smashing today. Even when we went a goal down, I could tell the preparation and the dressing room was good. Even the music was quite good in the dressing room tonight, I enjoyed that.

"It was disappointing to concede the goal but I thought we stuck at it. We played some good football.

"We got to take more of our opportunities though - we had some chances tonight, but it's nice to get a win."