Rotherham United 2-1 Reading FC: Match Report

Reading: Andersen, Kelly, Hector, Cooper, Obita (McCleary), Gunter, Norwood, Karacan, Chalobah (Mackie), Cox, Pogrebnyak (Stacey)

Steve Clarke made six changes to his Royals side who had lost their last home game of the season 2-0 to promotion chasers Brentford, and were without a win in nine games. Rotherham, who had got a vital point against Norwich at the weekend, needed three points to ensure their safety after receiving a three point deduction for fielding an ineligible player earlier in the season.

The game started off tense with so much at stake for the Millers. They got themselves into a couple of decent positions early on, however, Reading were making some pretty strong tackles as well. Most notably Chris Gunter, who pushed Danny Lafferty over the advertising boards and took the ball boy with him. The Northern Ireland international appeared to be okay but the ball boy was not so fortunate, being attended to by St. John's Ambulance before being taken away on a stretcher to a standing ovation from the home crowd.

The first half continued to be very nervy from both sides, with only one shot on target being produced between the pair of them. Lee Frecklington volleyed from just outside the box, but his shot was saved (just) by Mikkel Andersen, and the ball went out for a corner.

The home side came out after half time, and made the breakthrough they so desperately needed seven minutes in. Matt Derbyshire tapped home from close range underneath Andersen after a low cross in from Danny Ward.

Ward was the provider again six minutes later with an almost identical cross. His ball found Frecklington this time, who scuffed past the far post in another close range effort.

Rotherham looked fired up, and went close to having a third goal but couldn't quite find the target. Finally, ten minutes from time, Reading decided to play some football! Oliver Norwood had a shot well saved by Martinez. However, the keeper could do nothing about his shot in the 87th minute, and Norwood scored Reading's first league goal in over 450 minutes of football.

It was a nervy final minutes for the home crowd, as the Royals continued to press. They kept running down the wings, with the whole shape of the game being changed by Jamie Mackie and Garath McCleary. Simon Cox had a weak shot saved and the Millers clung on to ensure their safety.

It was another disappointing and shambolic night to be a Reading fan. You know there's something not quite right when you concede a goal and it just feels like the norm. We've been very very lucky that there have been five other teams this season that have been equally as bad as us. I just cannot wait to get this final game at Derby out of the way so the expected summer cull can commence and Clarke can really start to put his mark on the club.