Rotherham United 1-0 Middlesbrough: Millers earn first win under Leam Richardson
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Cohen Bramall's goal was his first of the season
Cohen Bramall's mis-hit cross looped in to give bottom-of-the-table Rotherham an important Championship win over Middlesbrough.
It was the hosts' only shot on target in a game that was dominated by Michael Carrick's Boro, who paid the price through being wasteful in front of goal.
Rotherham goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, who looked close to coming off with an injury in the first half, made some crucial saves - Sam Greenwood's first-half swerving shot in particular - to help keep the Millers level.
But Greenwood and Sammy Silvera wasted further good chances for Boro before Bramall's cross-shot went over visiting keeper Tom Glover and in - with Leam Richardson's side able to hang on for their first points since he took charge.
It was also a first win in 12 for Rotherham - their last victory was against Coventry on 25 October - bringing them level on points with second-bottom Sheffield Wednesday and eight points from safety.
Boro, meanwhile, fall to 14th and remain three points from the play-offs.
The Teessiders had 71% possession at the New York Stadium and 19 shots to three from their hosts, but they lost some control to the battling Millers after the break.
On-loan Leeds striker Greenwood clipped the post before half-time when well placed to score and Alex Bangura was denied a penalty just before Rotherham's match-winner, when he went down under a challenge from Hakeem Odoffin.
Riley McGree lashed against the woodwork shortly after Boro went behind, as it became apparent it would not be their day.
Despite the stats showing the Millers as second best, Richardson will be pleased with the way his side earned a foothold as the game went on, to end a run of three consecutive defeats since he began his tenure.
Rotherham head coach Leam Richardson:
"The credit needs to go to the players. I class it as three games in charge and, with the work ethic and level of performance they have shown, they have deserved that little bit of luck.
"We are low on bodies and we have players playing out of position. Some are having to do things that are quite foreign to them.
"But it's a choice to tackle, head and run back and stay connected to your team-mates with recovery runs. We have that in abundance.
"We were a little bit passive first half. We don't want to be like that. We have front-footed players. But the harder you work, the luckier you get."
Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick:
"I'm baffled, to be honest. I know referees have a tough job. It's not even a tussle or a little trip. He just takes him out. For the life of me, I don't understand how he can't give the decision there.
"It's a massive moment and the less I say about it is probably the better. Whatever the referee says about it, we are not going to agree. It was so obvious. It's crazy.
"It's the first time we have not conceded a shot and lost. We created enough to score one or two at least. We have got goals in the team. We are playing largely good football.
"It's very difficult to be critical of the boys. We controlled it. It's a very strange game sometimes. But we will take a lot from it."