Joe Mattock's equaliser against Reading was his first goal of the season
Joe Mattock scored a scrappy last-minute goal to salvage a draw for Rotherham against fellow Championship strugglers Reading.
Sam Baldock put the managerless Royals ahead early on with a finely placed finish past Marek Rodak after latching onto a neat ball into the box from Josh Sims.
Baldock twice threatened to add another before the break, while John Swift also had chances in an opening half dominated by the visitors.
Anssi Jaakkola protected that lead with a number a early second-half saves, foiling Richard Towell and Clark Robertson, before Sims hit the post for the Royals and Will Vaulks had an effort for Rotherham hacked off the line.
Mattock earned the Millers a deserved point with a poked close-range finish, while Vaulks almost snatched all three for the hosts with an effort that dribbled wide in stoppage time.
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Rotherham's 10th draw from their past 13 games leaves them 20th in the table and one place above Reading, a side linked with a host of managerial candidates - including Luis Castro of Vitoria de Guimaraes, and Bolton boss Phil Parkinson - since the departure of Paul Clement nine days ago.
Baldock was a constant menace in the first half, heading wide inside two minutes and sending two efforts over the bar after putting the visitors ahead with his fifth goal of the season.
Rodak crucially denied Swift before the break and Jaakkola kept Reading's advantage intact early on in an enthralling second half, which saw Sims go close to winning it and Vaulks dramatically denied a leveller.
But Mattock's first goal of the season ensured a share of the spoils.
Rotherham boss Paul Warne:
"It was a disappointing first half and it wasn't like us. Without Marek [Rodak] we could have been out of the game. We had a conversation at half time. It just didn't feel like it was working.
"I wasn't happy with anyone in the first half. I don't like taking people off at half time but we had to change something. I could have made 10 changes at half time.
"We needed to get the crowd on our side early on and we did not do that. It made it an edgy game. There was a real belief that we were going to get an equalising goal in the second.
"We could not have been as bad in the second half as in the first but I am pleased with a point."
Reading caretaker boss Scott Marshall:
"There is disappointment in the dressing room which is probably a good thing. Nobody likes to lose a goal late on but I was a little bit concerned that we were only one goal up at half time. We had enough chances to be really out of sight.
"I am going to make the most of the situation that is there and try and get as much experience as I can for however long it takes. I am looking forward to the next game. I have enjoyed this week. The nerve jangling of first team football - I have enjoyed that.
"It's good to see a dressing room focused and ready to work for each other. I have enjoyed being around that."
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Rotherham
1Rodák
2Vyner
5Ajayi
6WoodSubstituted forRobertsonat 45'minutes
3MattockBooked at 45mins
7Forde
4Vaulks
13Towell
11TaylorSubstituted forNewellat 68'minutes
23WilliamsSubstituted forProctorat 45'minutes
24Smith
8Palmer
9Proctor
12Price
15Robertson
17Manning
22Newell
25Wiles
Reading
31JaakkolaBooked at 88mins
3Yiadom
24Blackett
46McIntyre
2Gunter
35Rinomhota
7Bacuna
19SimsBooked at 6minsSubstituted forLoaderat 86'minutes
10Swift
12McCleary
9BaldockSubstituted forBödvarssonat 79'minutes
1Mannone
16Edwards
17Barrow
23Bödvarsson
38Kelly
43Loader
47Osho
Referee:
Ross Joyce
Attendance:
8,775
Match Stats
Home TeamRotherhamAway TeamReading
Possession
Home48%
Away52%
Shots
Home26
Away19
Shots on Target
Home10
Away5
Corners
Home13
Away4
Fouls
Home19
Away12
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Rotherham United 1, Reading 1.Full TimePosted at 90'+6'
Second Half ends, Rotherham United 1, Reading 1.
Posted at 90'+5'
Attempt blocked. Garath McCleary (Reading) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Andy Rinomhota.Posted at 90'+4'
Attempt missed. Will Vaulks (Rotherham United) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Richard Towell with a headed pass.Posted at 90'+3'
Corner, Rotherham United. Conceded by Andy Rinomhota.Posted at 90'+3'
Foul by Jón Dadi Bödvarsson (Reading).Posted at 90'+3'
Will Vaulks (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Posted at 90'+1'
Attempt missed. Tyler Blackett (Reading) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Danny Loader with a headed pass following a corner.Posted at 90'+1'
Attempt blocked. Andy Rinomhota (Reading) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.Posted at 90'+1'
Corner, Reading. Conceded by Semi Ajayi.
Goal!Posted at 90'
Goal! Rotherham United 1, Reading 1. Joe Mattock (Rotherham United) left footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal following a corner.Posted at 90'
Attempt blocked. Clark Robertson (Rotherham United) right footed shot from very close range is blocked.Posted at 90'
Attempt blocked. Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Joe Newell with a cross.Posted at 89'
Corner, Rotherham United. Conceded by Chris Gunter.BookingPosted at 88'
Anssi Jaakkola (Reading) is shown the yellow card.SubstitutionPosted at 86'
Substitution, Reading. Danny Loader replaces Josh Sims.Posted at 85'
Corner, Rotherham United. Conceded by Andy Rinomhota.Posted at 85'
Attempt blocked. Will Vaulks (Rotherham United) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Joe Newell with a cross.Posted at 85'
Corner, Rotherham United. Conceded by Chris Gunter.Posted at 83'
Anssi Jaakkola (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Posted at 83'
Foul by Jamie Proctor (Rotherham United).Posted at 81'
Attempt missed. Leandro Bacuna (Reading) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.Posted at 81'
Attempt blocked. Josh Sims (Reading) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Garath McCleary.Posted at 80'
Tom McIntyre (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Posted at 80'
Foul by Michael Smith (Rotherham United).SubstitutionPosted at 79'
Substitution, Reading. Jón Dadi Bödvarsson replaces Sam Baldock.Posted at 78'
Attempt missed. Will Vaulks (Rotherham United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right following a corner.Posted at 78'
Attempt missed. Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Joe Newell with a cross following a corner.Posted at 78'
Corner, Rotherham United. Conceded by Garath McCleary.Posted at 76'
Andy Rinomhota (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Posted at 76'
Foul by Michael Smith (Rotherham United).Posted at 75'
Corner, Reading. Conceded by Zak Vyner.Posted at 75'
Attempt blocked. Garath McCleary (Reading) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.Posted at 74'
Attempt missed. Richard Towell (Rotherham United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Will Vaulks.Posted at 73'
Corner, Rotherham United. Conceded by Leandro Bacuna.Posted at 73'
Foul by Garath McCleary (Reading).Posted at 73'
Joe Mattock (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Posted at 72'
Attempt saved. Jamie Proctor (Rotherham United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Clark Robertson.Posted at 72'
Attempt saved. John Swift (Reading) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Andy Yiadom.Posted at 70'
Attempt saved. Will Vaulks (Rotherham United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Source: bbc.com
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