Central defenders Martin McIntosh and Chris Swailes helped the Millers stage a
fine comeback after their second-half goals brought Watford's run of three
consecutive victories to an abrupt end.
Rocked by former manager Gianluca Vialli issuing court proceedings over his
sacking last June, things looked more promising on the pitch when Hornets
striker Tommy Smith gave them a deserved 62nd-minute lead.
But Ronnie Moore's men never know when to lie down and after McIntosh powered
the ball home seven minutes later, Swailes' thundering header was enough to keep
Rotherham's outside chance of a play-off place intact.
The Millers were the brighter side in the opening exchanges, and the game
kick-started into life on seven minutes. A teasing delivery from Chris Sedgwick
found Lee whose header from 10 yards fizzed just over the crossbar.
Millers midfielder Darren Garner went even closer shortly afterwards but could
not hit the target with a fine header that drifted just past goalkeeper Alec
Chamberlain's right-hand post.
Ray Lewington's men were struggling to get out of first gear against a
typically-determined Millers outfit who were winning the battle in the centre of
midfield.
But after weathering the early storm, Watford slowly edged their way into the
contest and finally mustered their first attempt on Mike Pollitt's goal when
Heidar Helguson headed just over from Allan Nielsen's long throw.
Smith then spurned the best chance of the game just before the break with a
right-footed drive from close range, but Pollitt was equal to it with a fine
save to his left as the Hornets finished the half with purpose.
The second period began in similar vein as Watford rallied.
Micah Hyde's outstanding strike from 25 yards seemed destined for the top
corner of the net but Pollitt was agile enough to claw the ball around the post
for a corner after 48 minutes.
Pennant then went close on the hour-mark with a speculative long-range strike
and two minutes later, the Hornets domination was rewarded when Smith gave his
side the advantage.
Heidar Helguson's punt upfield found Smith on the left channel who angled over
a hopeful cross into the danger area. The ball was not cleared by a static
Rotherham defence and somehow found its way past Pollitt into the bottom
right-hand corner of the net.
Shortly after the goal, Moore introduced Paul Warne and Andy Monkhouse for
Byfield and Garner in an effort to curb Watford's stranglehold on the game.
The substitution had an inspired effect on the game as Rotherham restored
parity on 69 minutes.
Loan signing Curtis Woodhouse's inswinging corner caused havoc in the penalty
area and McIntosh was on hand to power the ball past Chamberlain from close
range.
The Millers' equaliser turned the game on its head as Moore's men - who were
playing with renewed confidence - battled their way into a 75th-minute lead.
The impressive Sedgwick teed up Swailes from the right wing whose towering
header smashed into the top corner of the goal.
Shellshocked Watford tried desperately to drag themselves back into the game
but were finding it difficult to unlock a stout Millers rearguard.
Paul Robinson's cross-cum-shot at the death was as close as Watford came to
snatching a point, but Pollitt kept his composure and held on to give the
Millers three crucial points.
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