Rotherham caretaker-boss Alan Knill saw his side take a point from his first game in charge but it will do little for either side's fortunes as this basement battle at Millmoor ended goalless.

Knill and assistant Mark Robins face a daunting task following Ronnie Moore's departure, while Gary Megson must also work wonders to keep Forest from slipping into League One following the sales of Andy Reid and Michael Dawson.

Michael Proctor and Martin Butler both wasted gilt-edged second-half chances for Rotherham, while Gareth Taylor and Eugene Bopp spurned Forest's best openings.

Fores central defender Andy Melville, on loan from West Ham, quickly settled into a backline shorn of Dawson following his switch to Tottenham.

The visitors mustered their first effort on target in the 19th minute when a Kris Commons free-kick was blocked by new Millers skipper Phil Gilchrist.

Rotherham assumed control midway through the first period, dominating possession, but unable to carve out any worthwhile efforts on goal.

Andy Monkhouse worked a rare opening out wide for the home side and his pinpoint cross was headed over the bar by Gilchrist, but with Melville providing Forest with a solid base, Megson's side began to threaten.

Forest keeper Paul Gerrard had so little to do he lost concentration and fumbled Paul McLaren's free-kick, but Rotherham failed to capitalise, while equally redundant opposite number Pollitt heeded the warning and did well to hold a dangerous Alan Rogers cross.

Then out of the blue Rotherham striker Jamal Campbell-Ryce produced a rare moment of quality, unleashing a goalbound 20-yarder that Gerrard did well to hold.

Forest responded through Commons, but his drilled left-footer from 25 yards flew wide and Pollitt ensured a goalless first half when he held Taylor's header from Paul Evans' fine cross.

Half-time Forest substitute Bopp - on for Evans - somehow lofted his chance from six yards over the bar and after the Millers' Darren Garner dragged his 25-yard shot wide, Bopp saw another effort blocked by Gilchrist.

Pollitt then tipped Commons' shot from the edge of the penalty area around the post as both sides threatened to find their range.

Rotherham striker Proctor may have broken the deadlock from Campbell-Ryce's cross but headed straight at Gerrard.

Proctor then turned provider, crossing for Butler, but he could only head wide from close range with the goal at his mercy.

Forest were left still chasing their first away win of the season, while Rotherham have not won at home since upsetting Leeds at the end of November.

Teams

Rotherham Pollitt, Barker, Swailes, Gilchrist, Hurst, Monkhouse, McLaren, Garner (Mullin 63), Campbell-Ryce, Butler, Proctor (Hoskins 87).

Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Minto, Vernazza.

Booked: Swailes, Butler, Hoskins.

Nottm Forest Gerrard, Morgan, Melville, Doig, Curtis, Rogers, Commons (Robertson 87), Evans (Bopp 51), Derry, Taylor, King (James 79).

Subs Not Used: Doyle, Harris.

Booked: Evans, Gerrard.

Att: 8,448

Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).