Two late goals in two minutes condemned Ipswich to a defeat that badly dents
their hopes of sneaking into the Nationwide Division One play-offs.
John Mullin's free-kick and Mark Robins' close-range effort with three minutes
remaining did the damage against an Ipswich side who had lost just once in 12
games.
Things looked promising for the visitors after Pablo Counago headed Town into
a fully deserved 31st-minute lead after dominating the first half.
However, even though they are ensconced in mid-table safety, Rotherham rarely
go down without a fight. And so it proved as Mullins and Robins' goals earned
Rotherham a first victory in five games.
But Rotherham began the game sluggishly and were nearly punished when Jim
Magilton hit the woodwork after just 10 minutes.
Guy Branston was drawn into fouling Counago and Magilton stuck the free-kick
from 25 yards which curled onto the crossbar and rebounded to safety.
Ipswich dominated the opening half hour and it was no surprise when they
opened the scoring through the magnificent Counago.
Martijn Reuser's inswinging corner from the left caused havoc in the penalty
area and the Spanish striker nipped in at the near post to head the ball into
the roof of the net.
Town continued to dictate play, and Reuser forced goalkeeper Ian Gray into a
tidy save while Marcus Bent should have done better when he sent a header from
close range wide of the target in the closing stages of the half.
A few choice words from Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore at the interval had the
desired effect at his players finally sparked into life.
Alan Lee forced goalkeeper Andy Marshall into an excellent save when his
18-yard strike seemed to be creeping into the bottom left-hand corner of the net
after 51 minutes.
Rotherham now held the initiative and Robins spurned two good chance to
restore parity within the space of two minutes.
Firstly he stubbed a close-range effort straight at the body of Marshall after
69 minutes and, moments later, his thunderous long-range strike was brilliantly
tipped over the crossbar by the goalkeeper.
However, Ipswich's resolve was finally broken with just five minutes
remaining, although Joe Royle will be not be happy with the manner in which the
goal was conceded.
Mullin lofted a hopeful 25-yard free-kick into the penalty area that caught a
static Ipswich defence sleeping and drifted into the back of the net.
And if Royle was unhappy with Rotherham's equaliser, he will have been furious
when Robins scored a dramatic winner two minutes later.
Mullin's cross found Lee whose glancing header from 18 yards was only blocked
by Marshall, and Robins was on hand to stab the ball into the back of the net.
And a frantic end to the game was nearly finished off when Rotherham
substitute Darren Byfield hit the woodwork.
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