Gifton Noel-Williams scored a dramatic last-minute own goal to put a serious dent in Stoke's play-off hopes and hand doomed basement outfit Rotherham a stay of execution in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Martin Butler again proved Stoke's nemesis with his fourth goal in three games against the Potters, scoring after 23 minutes of a bad-tempered affair when he swooped to meet John Mullin's whipped right-wing delivery to plant a firm header past Stoke goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.

And although Noel-Williams met Clint Hill's left-wing delivery after 83 minutes to level for Stoke, his error at the other end of the pitch gave the Millers the points.

Stoke began the game five points off the play-off zone and started strongly as they went in search of the victory that would elevate them closer to the top six.

However, it was Rotherham who went closest to scoring. After 12 minutes midfielder Paul McClaren drilled in a fierce right-foot shot from the edge of the box which Simonsen did superbly well to tip around the post.

Suitably inspired, Rotherham continued to press and Michael Keane collected the ball 30 yards from goal before unleashing an effort which warmed Simonsen's hands.

Shortly after, the visitors' endeavour was rewarded though when Butler nodded home his fifth goal of the season and his fourth in three games for the Millers against Stoke.

Five minutes later Rotherham should have doubled their advantage when Keane's inswinging corner from the left was met by a thunderous header from Chris Swailes, who was desperately unlucky to see his effort hit the woodwork.

Former Preston and Hull midfielder Keane began to prove an influential figure for Rotherham, whose chairman Peter Ruchniewicz said this week that he hopes to appoint a new manager within the next fortnight.

Alan Knill has been in temporary charge since the sacking of Ronnie Moore but Ruchniewicz has said the job is still up for grabs.

Knill could not have asked for much more from his players as they continued to frustrate Stoke, resulting in three Potters players collecting yellow cards before the break as Rotherham held firm.

The tension continued to mount immediately after the restart when Stoke defender Gerry Taggart was booked for unsporting behaviour before Butler was also cautioned for the same offence to take the total yellow card count to six.

Pulis attempted to inject fresh impetus into his side via the introduction of Carl Asaba for the sluggish Michael Ricketts, who has struggled to make any impact since joining on loan from Leeds in February.

However, they struggled to penetrate a resolute Rotherham back line which looked to have laid the platform for a deserved victory.

Stoke earned themselves little credit after Wayne Thomas became their sixth player to be booked after 78 minutes.

Five minutes later, however, and they had earned themselves a point after Noel-Williams nodded home from six yards.

Rotherham could have still claimed victory with two minutes remaining after striker Jamal Campbell-Ryce hit the woodwork from 25 yards.

With time running out, Paul McLaren's shot was blocked by Simonsen, but the ball rebounded into Noel-Williams and looped back into the net.

Teams

Stoke Simonsen, Thomas, Duberry, Taggart, Hill, Harper, Brammer (Henry 89), Russell, Clarke (Neal 45), Noel-Williams, Ricketts (Asaba 57).

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Buxton.

Sent Off: Duberry (90).

Booked: Simonsen, Russell, Ricketts, Taggart, Duberry, Thomas.

Goals: Noel-Williams 83.

Rotherham Pollitt, McLaren, Scott, Swailes, Mullin, Keane (Barker 67), Butler, Hurst, McIntosh, Thorpe (Hoskins 88), Campbell-Ryce.

Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Warne, Vernazza.

Booked: Campbell-Ryce, Butler, McLaren.

Goals: Butler 23, Noel-Williams 90 og.

Att: 16,552

Ref: G Salisbury (Lancashire).