Kenny Miller scored twice as Wolves extended their unbeaten run to 16 games
with victory against already-relegated Rotherham.
The Scotland international broke the deadlock in the 55th minute and scored
deep into injury time to seal the points after a disappointing first half.
Both sides struggled to find their rhythm in the opening stages, but it was
Wolves who carved open a couple of decent opportunities.
Lee Naylor supplied a great fourth-minute cross for Miller, whose header was
never going to test keeper Gary Montgomery but fell perfectly to Seyi George
Olofinjana. However the big Nigerian fired into the side-netting.
Wolves were forced to make one change to the side that drew at Coventry, with
Mark Kennedy coming in for Paul Ince, who failed a fitness test on a calf
strain.
And it was former Manchester City winger Kennedy who nearly helped break the
deadlock with a cross only for Joleon Lescott to head over the bar.
Rotherham, who made five changes to the side that lost to Watford, started to
work their way into the game as John Mullin cleared the bar with a rising
drive.
And Wolves had a narrow escape when Jamal Campbell-Ryce, back from suspension,
forced Michael Oakes to push away his fine 24th-minute effort, with Tony Thorpe
just failing to get on the end of the rebound.
That close shave acted as a wake-up call to Glenn Hoddle's side, who nearly
scored two minutes later when Ki-Hyeon Seol's corner to the far post was headed
just wide by Jody Craddock.
But the Millers were creating most of the chances and from their second corner
of the game Chris Swailes forced in a powerful header which struck one of his
own players before the danger was cleared.
Hoddle then made the first change of the game eight minutes before the break
with the ineffective Seol - perhaps carrying an injury - coming off for Rohan
Ricketts, but the substitution made little difference as the half limped to a
close.
Rotherham started the second half brightly, but it was Wolves who should have
struck when Miller tangled with Scott Minto, with the ball falling to Ricketts.
However, the on-loan Tottenham midfielder could only fire over the crossbar.
Ricketts then tested Montgomery with a stinging drive which was pushed away
for a corner.
Naylor's first flag-kick was cleared behind by John Mullin but his second
outswinging corner to the far post was headed into the danger area by Mikkel
Bischoff for Miller to score from close range.
Full-back Naylor flashed a fierce effort just over the bar midway through the
half, but injured himself in the process, and it was no surprise to see Kenny
Cooper coming on as his replacement four minutes later.
Millers boss Mick Harford made his first substitution at the same time, as
Michael Keane came off for Will Hoskins.
And the Yorkshiremen created a superb chance moments later as Paul McLaren
delivered a fine free-kick for Mullin to get in front of a defender to send a
fine header towards the bottom corner, but Oakes pulled off a brilliant reaction
save low to his left.
Miller nearly added a second two minutes from time when he spotted Montgomery
off his line, but could only lift the ball onto the top of the net.
But the Wolves marksman killed the game off in the fifth minute of injury time
with a great strike into the bottom corner after good work from Ricketts.
Teams
Wolverhampton Oakes, Bischoff (Edwards 79), Lescott, Craddock,
Naylor (Cooper 70), Seol (Ricketts 38), Cameron, Olofinjana,
Kennedy, Clarke, Miller.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Cornes.
Goals: Miller 55, 90.
Rotherham Montgomery, Barker, Minto, Swailes,
Hurst (Newsham 85), Mullin, McLaren, Keane (Hoskins 70),
Campbell-Ryce, Thorpe, Warne.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Scott, Proctor.
Att: 25,177
Ref: M Pike (Cumbria).
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