A fine second-half performance saw Rotherham earn just their second victory of the Championship season as they beat Coventry 2-0.

Lee Peltier glanced in shortly after the interval and then Ollie Rathbone lashed home in stoppage time to give the depleted Millers’ season a much-needed shot in the arm.

This was one of their best performances of the campaign and it sees them cut the gap to safety to five points with a game in hand.

Coventry had chances to get back into the game when they were trailing 1-0, but their inconsistent start to the season continues.

The Sky Blues made an assured start and almost took a 13th-minute lead when Kyle McFadzean found Ellis Simms in space 12 yards out, but his instinctive first-time shot was well saved by Sweden goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.

The Millers settled down and also had a fine chance to go ahead seven minutes later.

Cafu played Jordan Hugill in down the left and his cross was perfect for Fred Onyedinma at the near post and the net seemed destined to bulge, but the on-loan Luton man planted his header wide.

Neither side could get a grip on the match as promising positions for both were let down by poor final passes.

The second half immediately brought more entertainment as the Millers went ahead in the 51st minute.

Cafu whipped in a delicious corner to the near post and Peltier sent a glancing header into the far corner.

Coventry’s response was strong and they created a raft of chances to equalise.

Simms had a fine double opportunity as he met Jay Dasilva’s cross with a powering head that saw Johansson pull off a miraculous one-handed save, with the Everton loanee firing the rebound into the side netting.

Ben Sheaf then forced Johansson into another save with a shot from distance before Matt Godden could not make sufficient contact with a cross when the goal was gaping.

The game was suddenly alive and Rotherham had two great chances of their own to extend their lead.

First, Seb Revan’s cross fell to Rathbone and he looked primed to score but Ben Wilson got down to make a fine stop and then Hugill sent a header against the post from Dexter Lembikisa’s cross.

The Millers kept on pushing as Christ Tiehi sent a looping header just wide, Onyedinma shot straight at Wilson when through on goal and then the Sky Blues goalkeeper made a flying save to keep out Rathbone’s vicious strike.

Milan van Ewijk had a shot blocked and then Tatsuhiro Sakamoto put a glancing header inches wide as Coventry pushed for an equaliser.

But Rotherham deservedly made the game safe in the third minute of added time when Rathbone lashed home Georgie Kelly’s knockdown.

Rotherham manager Matt Taylor admitted Jordan Hugill’s smash-and-grab to draw 1-1 with Southampton may have saved his job.

Taylor was under pressure following Wednesday night’s 90th-minute defeat to Bristol City, having won only once and failed to pick up a point on the road.

But Hugill came off the bench to produce a stunning equaliser to cancel out Stuart Armstrong’s opener.

“It was much needed (the point),” Taylor said. “It didn’t look achievable at the start of the first half.

“We somehow managed to stay in the game in that first half, it was difficult and we rode our luck at times, and had to give ourselves a chance in the second half – and we did that.

“It still needs a moment of quality from the players or a moment of skill, whether that be our goalkeeper, last-ditch defending or the goal.

“I hope (it can change our season). When you come to Southampton, you have to sacrifice not having the ball for a little bit.

“We were so low after Wednesday night so full credit to the team for getting through today – and I include myself in that.

“There was a point in the first half where you could hear the end wavering.

“Not just in terms of my position, but in the belief of what we are trying to do.

“Players believe in success and we had a bit more success in the second half.”

Armstrong had put Saints ahead in the second minute after pouncing after Che Adams’ header had come back off a post.

Saints dominated with Adam Armstrong, Will Smallbone and Adams all blitzing the Rotherham goal in search of a second goal.

They were punished for their wastefulness when Hugill caught Bazunu off-guard to lift over him.

It meant Saints were booed off after two straight victories.

Boss Russell Martin said: “It was a really good performance. Anyone who came today would say we deserved to win. We should have been out of sight before Rotherham scored.

“It’s just really frustrating. We were so good in the first half, we should have been 3-0 up and just paid for a lack of ruthlessness really.

“A guy at the end was booing and going absolutely crazy, I understand his frustration, but you’ve just watched such a dominant performance.

“I’m as frustrated as you are that we haven’t won, but I’m not sure the players deserved the vitriol. So I had a word with him.

“Hopefully most people go away knowing they’ve watched a performance where we have been completely dominant.

“I know this game is very outcome-focused, if you’re a supporter that’s the one thing that matters. But if we play like that and are that dominant, the difference is a fine line.

“It’s not a big deal, everyone is angry, but I didn’t think the players deserved that at that moment. And I’m feeling the same way as he is because I can’t believe we haven’t won the game.

“I understand the frustration and anger, but we have come through a tough period and had a good week and we have a chance when we come back to really progress.

“This result and performance will be a big learning for us. You play this game 100 times and you win 98 and 99 times. So we have to use this as fuel.”

Rotherham boss Matt Taylor is confident he can turn things around after his side’s dismal start to the season continued with a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Bristol City, but accepts results have to improve.

Tommy Conway’s goal in the sixth minute of time added on inflicted a seventh loss from the Millers’ opening 10 games, which is their worst start to a Championship season since 2004/05.

It looked like Taylor’s side, who are ravaged by injuries, would earn a point after Tyler Blackett’s 86th-minute strike had cancelled out Conway’s opener five minutes before.

But they left empty-handed, with Taylor, who celebrated one year in charge on Tuesday, knowing things have to change.

“You can’t afford to keep getting beat,” he said. “The manner of tonight’s defeat, if you are going to get beat, get beat by giving it everything and showing you are good enough to compete at the level.

“There have been a few away games where we have not shown enough of that which is frustrating. But you have to believe that A) you are good enough as a manager and B) your players are good enough.

“But when your best players aren’t available it is an incredible job and an incredible task. It has got an awful lot harder on the back of tonight.

“Like I keep saying to the players you can’t lose heart, confidence and will, if the supporters do that’s down to them, I understand that to a certain extent, but if there is anything this club is about it’s about standing up and showing a bit of character and fight and sticking together as well.

“It’s understanding that Championship level football for Rotherham is a hell of an achievement, it was a hell of an achievement last season and what we are up against is an absolute beast and it keeps on taking big chunks out of us.

“But we are still alive. We are 10 games in and still showing signs of brightness in certain moments and no one else will be thinking of Rotherham right now. I am looking forward to what we can achieve at the weekend because I still believe in this group of players.”

For the opening 81 minutes it was a forgettable encounter, with just one shot on target, before it burst into life with Conway’s opener.

Robins boss Nigel Pearson was pleased with the outcome rather than his side’s performance.

“What you have always got to do is keep alive in the game,” he said. “It is a good illustration of it being a squad game tonight, Tommy coming off the bench and scoring two quality goals.

“We were mugged at the weekend. They will be feeling a bit down, it wasn’t a game of a lot of quality but the important thing is we won a scrappy game.

“Tonight we have come away from home and got three points at a ground which is tough to come to at times.

“It is good for the players to come away with a quality result, especially having conceded a late equaliser.

“A good day but we are not kidding ourselves. Credit to the players they were prepared to keep going, a good night in the end, but it didn’t feel like it for much of the night.”

Tommy Conway scored in the sixth minute of injury time to earn Bristol City a last-gasp 2-1 win at Rotherham in the Sky Bet Championship.

Conway had opened the scoring in the 81st minute but the Millers quickly equalised through Tyler Blackett and it looked like it was heading for a draw.

But there was late drama at the AESSEAL New York Stadium as Conway struck at the death, flicking home Andy King’s cross.

It earned a third away win of the season and moves the Robins back into the top half, continuing their solid start.

Defeat was cruel on the Millers but typifies their troubled opening to the campaign and they are locked in the bottom three with a long winter looming in their battle to stay out of relegation danger.

Boss Matt Taylor celebrated one year in charge at the club on Tuesday, but he might now face questions about his future.

Any chance of retaining their Championship status appears to lie with their home form, which has been competitive.

They could have taken a 23rd-minute lead when Cohen Bramall’s cross was headed back across goal by Jordan Hugill but Andre Green was not forceful enough to turn home from close range.

Bramall was Rotherham’s biggest threat and he fizzed a dangerous ball into the near post which just evaded Hugill.

Another cross was headed over by Fred Onyedinma as the Millers continued on the front foot.

The Robins were able to get a foothold in the game, but that turned it into a dull, scrappy affair where neither goalkeeper was forced into a save.

That pattern continued into the second half, with neither side able to create any sort of domination.

The visitors did at least manage to improve going forward after the break and got into some good positions, but that did not translate into chances.

The closest they came was when Harry Cornick headed over from Sam Bell’s cross, while the first shot on target did not come until the 67th minute when Joe Williams shot straight at Viktor Johansson.

It was heading for stalemate until nine minutes from the end of normal time when Conway broke down the left, cut inside and curled a beauty into the far corner.

The Millers hit back with their first shot on target, Blackett converting from Arvin Appiah’s cross after the hosts had recycled a corner.

They fancied a winner, but instead it came at the other end as Conway had the final say, flicking home Andy King’s cross.

Sabri Lamouchi feels his mission to keep Cardiff in the Championship is almost complete following their dramatic late win at fellow strugglers Rotherham.

Cedric Kipre struck with just two minutes left to seal a 2-1 win that all-but guarantee the Welsh side’s survival and keeps Rotherham firmly in trouble.

The Bluebirds are now six points above the drop zone with two games remaining, while United remain just three points above 22nd-placed Reading.

The initial meeting between the two teams last month was abandoned with Cardiff 1-0 up before the pitch became unplayable due to heavy rain.

Lamouchi was angry at that decision but delighted to see his side inch closer to safety in the replayed game.

The Frenchman, who took charge in January, said: “It is not mathematically done but we are so close. The players deserved the win. I saw my players with the right mentality. We created the chances.

“It is an absolutely massive result. My mission was to stay in the Championship. It is not done but I am happy with the result and confident for the next two.

“My only desire is to win the next game at home for our magic fans. This season, for them and for us, has been very frustrating.

“I have big respect for the fans (for travelling to the game again) and big thanks to them.”

Jordan Hugill almost gave the home crowd the perfect start but his header from Wes Harding’s cross bounced back off the woodwork.

Cardiff then took an 11th-minute lead when Kion Etete sneaked in behind Harding to power in Perry Ng’s cross.

The Millers drew level in the 37th minute with Harding’s cross finding its way through to Chiedozie Ogbene who tucked beyond Jak Alnwick.

Cardiff’s deficiencies from the penalty spot emerged again as Sory Kaba missed for the second game in succession. Conor Coventry was deemed to have brought down Jaden Philogene but was reprieved when Kaba’s effort cannoned back off the bar.

The visitors looked the more likely to nick all three points in the second half and took the big chance that fell their way when Kipre kept his composure to lash beyond Viktor Johansson late on.

Rotherham manager Matt Taylor said: “It’s a tough blow right at the end. Their frontline caused us constant problems. A set-piece moment has cost us. It was a really gutting moment.

“Their threat was obvious and we tried to address that at half-time. We got away with the penalty miss.

“We looked a bit nervy every time the ball got in and around our backline in the first half. I was so pleased that we got back into the game.

“I don’t think the tension affected us too much. I think the opposition pushed us into some scary moments and their physicality told.”

Cardiff virtually secured their Championship status with a 2-1 win at fellow strugglers Rotherham.

Cedric Kipre struck the decisive goal two minutes from time to ensure the Welsh side leapfrogged The Millers and move six points clear of the bottom relegation spot with just two games left to play.

It looked as though the visitors’ penalty woes were continuing to cost them when Sory Kaba missed for a second successive match and upped their tally of missed spot kicks to five for the season.

But Kipre bailed out the striker late on with a goal which keeps Rotherham in trouble and only three points above 22nd placed Reading.

The initial meeting between the two sided was abandoned minutes into the second half due to a waterlogged pitch with Cardiff leading 1-0.

Rotherham almost got off to the perfect start when Wes Harding’s lofted ball was won fiercely by Jordan Hugill only for it to rebound back off the woodwork and away to safety.

Cardiff threatened when skipper Joe Ralls played in Mahlon Romeo in plenty of space and his shot had to be pushed out by Viktor Johansson.

They converted their next chance after 11 minutes with Kion Etete slipping in behind Harding and heading in Perry Ng’s cross clinically.

Bluebirds’ goalkeeper Jak Alnick was forced into his first save by a long-range effort from Conor Coventry.

Kaba then had a great chance to double the visitors’ advantage after capitalising on a Cameron Humphreys’ misjudgement but his powerful effort was kept out by Johansson.

Rotherham levelled after 37 minutes and it was again Harding providing the perfect cross which Chiedozie Ogbene managed to power in at the back post.

Cardiff were handed a huge chance to go back in front in added on time after Coventry fouled Jaden Philogene but Kaba saw his penalty crash against the crossbar.

A tense second half ensued but it was Cardiff who looked the more likely to create a big chance.

When one materialised it was to the away side’s dangerman Philogene who was slipped in down the left, he cut back inside menacingly, but his shot was deflected out of play.

The game was settled after 88 minutes when Kipre kept his composure in the box to lash home the winner following a goalmouth scramble.

The only real panic the visitors endured during added on time was when substitute Domingos Quina took aim from distance but his shot was easily gathered by Alnwick.