Nottingham Forest snatched a point in the dying seconds for the second
successive week through substitute Eoin Jess.
The midfielder slammed home Marlon King's cross from close range after Andy
Monkhouse's first goal of the season looked set to give Rotherham victory.
Though Forest are still without a victory in 16 Division One games, the point
keeps Joe Kinnear's side within striking distance of the teams above them.
Rotherham striker Michael Proctor followed his two-goal debut against Reading
last week with another dangerous display, and it was the striker's close control
which carved the visitors open after 65 minutes.
The Forest defence, including the fit-again Michael Dawson, was unable to stop
Proctor as he beat three challenges before pulling back for Monkhouse to finish
from 12 yards.
Darren Ward's goal had been largely unthreatened before that point, but Forest
were short of confidence and bereft of ideas in the final third until Jess' late
introduction.
A run of eight victories from 14 Division One games has seen Ronnie Moore's
side make a significant move away from the relegation spot still occupied by
Forest.
And Kinnear will know his side must improve the support to their isolated
attackers if they are to embark on a similar run.
Loan striker Michael Chopra was an anonymous figure before he was replaced by
Gareth Taylor at half time. But the Wales striker was almost as ineffective as
Forest were unable to create any sustained pressure until their final flourish.
Kinnear was able recall the influential Dawson for his first game in almost
two months, while Gareth Williams became the first casualty of his desire to
move the ball forward more quickly from midfield.
The Scot, whose career at the City Ground has gone off the boil after a
promising start, was replaced by Brynjar Gunnarsson in a four-man midfield.
Robbie Stockdale, making his Millers debut following his loan move from
Middlesbrough, was a threat when advancing from his right-back position.
One exciting run and cross picked out the head of Butler, but the striker
failed to trouble Ward.
Forest midfielder Andy Reid, fresh from impressing against world champions
Brazil for the Republic of Ireland in midweek, was again an influential figure.
The burden of creativity too often lay with Reid alone, and after 74 minutes
Kinnear had seen enough and replaced Andy Impey with Jess.
That gamble paid off with impeccable timing, when the Scot turned King's cross
past Mike Pollitt at the death.
Teams:
Rotherham: Pollitt, Stockdale, Shaun Barker, Swailes, Hurst,
Sedgwick, Garner, Mullin, Monkhouse (Minto 90), Butler, Proctor.
Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Richard Barker, Baudet, McIntosh.
Goals: Monkhouse 65.
Nottm Forest: Ward, Thompson, Dawson, Walker (Doig 90), Rogers,
Impey (Jess 74), Gunnarsson, Sonner, Reid, Chopra (Taylor 45),
King.
Subs Not Used: Roche, Robertson.
Booked: Dawson, Thompson.
Goals: Jess 90.
Att: 9,046
Ref: G Laws (Tyne & Wear).
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