Paul Warne struck a dramatic winner deep into injury-time as the Coca-Cola Championship's bottom side Rotherham overcame play-off hopefuls Reading in front of a crowd of just 3,804 fans - Millmoor's lowest of the season.

Reading lost more ground in the race for a top-six finish after hitting the woodwork twice and forcing in-form Rotherham goalkeeper Mike Pollitt into a number of fine saves.

Rotherham caretaker-manager Alan Knill handed on-loan Hull midfielder Michael Keane his full debut and there were also recalls for Martin McIntosh and John Mullin.

The trio replaced Leandre Griffit, Paolo Vernazza and Will Hoskins in the starting XI, while Reading were unchanged from Saturday's impressive 3-1 demolition of West Ham.

Rotherham belied their lowly position to make a bright start and had a golden opportunity to open the scoring after just five minutes.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce collected the ball on the halfway line and set off towards goal before firing in a fierce effort which sliced off Steve Sidwell and was caught by goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.

Referee Alan Hall bizarrely deemed the touch from the Reading midfielder to be a backpass and awarded the hosts an indirect free-kick on the edge of the six-yard box.

But when a touch of guile was required, McIntosh could muster a low blasted effort which rebounded straight off the wall of players camped on their own goal-line.

Sidwell then made an impact at the right end of the pitch with a thunderous 35-yard free-kick which the Rotherham goalkeeper was forced to tip over.

Recently named the best player outside of the Premiership in a magazine list of the 'Top 50 Football League Players', Sidwell's growing influence allowed Reading to enjoy the majority of possession and territorial advantage.

And with a quarter of the game gone Reading should have snatched the lead after going close twice in as many minutes.

The impressive Nicky Shorey embarked on a strong run down the left before finding Glen Little on the edge of the box.

The former Burnley winger teased and tormented the Rotherham backline before firing in a low effort across the face of goal which was cleared only as far as Shorey, whose follow-up effort was deflected into the side-netting.

From the resulting corner the ball fell to Reading's 16-goal striker Dave Kitson and his cross to the far post saw Pollitt produce a superb one-handed save to turn Ivar Ingimarsson's header against the woodwork.

Reading upped the tempo after the interval and Pollitt again excelled himself on the hour mark as the visitors threatened to open the scoring.

Kitson's flick-on to Dean Morgan was then turned into the path of Andy Hughes, looking suspiciously offside, who with only Pollitt to beat fired straight at the keeper.

Reading midfielder Ricky Newman was desperately unlucky to not see his industry and determination rewarded when he shaved the right-hand post after winning the ball and firing in a low shot which had Pollitt beaten.

Reading's lack of cutting edge was punished three minutes into injury-time as Warne volleyed home McIntosh's header following a deep free-kick.

Teams

Rotherham Pollitt, Scott, Gilchrist (Hoskins 45), McIntosh, Hurst, Barker, Mullin, McLaren, Keane, Campbell-Ryce, Warne.

Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Newsham, Vernazza, Griffit.

Booked: McLaren.

Goals: Warne 90.

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Little, Sidwell, Newman, Hughes, Kitson, Morgan (Owusu 85).

Subs Not Used: Keown, Harper, Brooker, Young.

Att: 3,804

Ref: A Hall (W Midlands).