Rotherham ensured they will be playing Championship football again next season with a battling 1-0 win over 10-man Middlesbrough.
The Millers had been relegated in each of their previous three campaigns at this level but Hakeem Odoffin’s powerful second-half strike meant they secured survival ahead of what would have been a nervy final-day trip to bottom side Wigan.
Victory guarantees they cannot be caught by Reading who, following their six-point deduction, occupy the third and final relegation spot. The Royals can now only catch Huddersfield, who are three points above them, have a game in hand and a slightly better goal difference.
Middlesbrough, who have already secured a play-off berth but could have replaced Luton in third, lost defender Anfernee Dijksteel to a straight red card just before half-time and could find no way back once Odoffin struck three minutes into the second half.
It might have been a different story had the visitors made the most of an early chance when Riley McGree outpaced Richard Wood.
The Boro forward flicked his effort beyond home goalkeeper Viktor Johansson but Wood managed to stop the ball from crossing the line.
Rotherham then forged a chance of their own from Wes Harding’s long throw but Jamie Lindsay fired off target.
The home side suffered a blow when dangerman Chiedozie Ogbene picked up an injury and had to be replaced but the Millers still managed a period on top without the Ireland international, with Middlesbrough-born Jordan Hugill almost getting on the end of a curling cross from Ollie Rathbone.
It was Middlesbrough’s turn to suffer a setback just before the break when they were reduced to 10 men after Dijksteel bundled over Hugill and blocked his path to goal.
It gave Rotherham a shooting chance from the edge of the box but Cohen Bramall’s free-kick was off target.
United did not have to wait too much longer to take the lead though, with Odoffin netting what would prove to be the winner in the 48th minute when powered a low shot from the edge of the box past Zach Steffen.
However, even with a man down, Middlesbrough continued to pose a threat.
Former Rotherham midfielder Dan Barlaser, who swapped clubs in January, tried to get his new team back on level terms but his effort from distance was comfortably over the bar.
There was an even bigger scare for the home side when a flicked ball from McGree bounced kindly to half-time substitute Tommy Smith but he sliced over at the back post.
Rotherham fans were calling for another red card when Paddy McNair looked like he had hauled down Georgie Kelly on his way through to goal but the appeals were dismissed by referee Keith Stroud.
Championship top scorer Chuba Akpom had been having a quiet afternoon until he burst into life with a menacing run and strike which had to be deflected over the bar.
Johansson also had to pull off a despairing late save when a cross was diverted goalwards by Lindsay as Rotherham held on for a vital victory.
Defending champs Clarendon College secure 2-1 win over Denbigh High to kick off DaCosta Cup
Defending champions Clarendon College opened their ISSA DaCosta Cup campaign with a tense 2-1 win over Denbigh High at the Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Saturday.
Clarendon College took an early lead in the fourth minute when Justin Hayles latched on to a through ball to finish across Denbigh goalkeeper Kevin Pryce into the bottom corner.
They went two ahead when Terron Williams scored directly from a corner kick in the 22nd minute.
Denbigh were the more attacking team to start the second 45 minutes and were handed a lifeline when Tayo Cross converted a late spot kick won by substitute Rahjaun Cassanova.
In the end, however, Clarendon College held their nerve to ensure that they got the three points to kick off the defense of their title.
Clarendon College will next take on Lennon High on September 14 while Denbigh will face Claude McKay a day earlier.
Mona High begins defense of Manning Cup title with 7-0 win over Waterford
Mona High School started the defense of their first ever ISSA Manning Cup title with a dominant 7-0 thrashing of opponents Waterford High at Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay, St. James on Saturday.
Man of the match Carlton Brown scored a pair of goals in the 17th and 37th minutes, the first being a brilliant right-footed strike from long range that evaded Waterford goalkeeper Jaheim Daley.
In between those two strikes, Savi-K Morton made it 2-0 in the 31st minute through a well-placed left-footed shot from just inside the 18-yard box.
Captain Robino Gordon made it 4-0 ten minutes later with a close-range finish, a score that would hold until the end of the first half.
Just a minute into the second 45 minutes, Alex Suazo made it 5-0 with the second long-range strike of the day.
The scoring was completed by Kshaine Gordon (67’) and Denzel McKenzie (70’).
“It’s really important to get off to a good start and we have more to come,” Brown said in a post-match interview.
Mona assistant coach Kyle Butler believes his team could have done even better but was happy with the win nonetheless.
“Definitely a statement win. The foundation is there but we’re still in second gear. We still have a lot that we can improve on. We could have won 10-0 easily but as I said the foundation is there and we want to build on that,” he said.
Waterford High coach Kevin Reid expressed disappointment at his team’s performance.
“It’s a disappointing start for us. Experience got the better of us today. Nevertheless, I believe they learned something to day and I believe the best team won. We just have to get back in training and put in some more work and, hopefully, we will have a better second game,” he said.
Mona will next take on Jonathan Grant on September 12 while Waterford will tackle Charlie Smith on the same day.
United States 1-2 Canada: David helps continue Marsch's impressive run
Canada continued their impressive run under Jesse Marsch after their Copa America exploits, beating the United States 2-1 in a friendly at Children's Mercy Park.
Goals in either half from Jacob Shaffelburg and Jonathan David handed Canada the advantage, with Luca de la Torre's goal proving a mere consolation in another dominant display from the visitors.
A frenetic start to proceedings was rewarded in the 17th minute as Johnny Cardoso's loose touch allowed David to tee up Shaffelburg to finish beyond Patrick Schulte.
Canada restricted their opponents to just one shot in the first-half but were unable to build their lead despite registering 11 shots, five of which were on target.
But they got the goal their performance merited after the break, again pouncing on a mistake by Michael Varas's side, with David finishing into the roof of the net.
De la Torre responded with a composed finish after neat play from substitute Aidan Morris, but Canada were able to see out the result with relative ease on enemy turf.
Data Debrief: David dazzles in Kansas
Having already scored three goals in seven appearances for Lille this season, David transferred that goal-scoring touch to the international stage.
The 24-year-old impressed against the USA, recording more shots (four) and shots on target (three), while also registering an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.12 to Canada's 1.95 total.
Canada's triumph was their first win against the USMNT on American soil since 1957, ending the US' 23-game unbeaten home run against them, the longest against any opponent in team history.
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