Two goals in the space of four second-half minutes proved enough for Sheffield Wednesday to edge out Rotherham United 2-1 in the South Yorkshire derby.
Lucas Joao found a way through just 30 seconds after the restart, before Fernando Forestieri piled the misery on the struggling home side.
There was to be some late hope for the Millers as Tom Thorpe struck in added time, but it proved to be too little too late in the end.
Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage from the New York Stadium below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Yorkshire derby clash between Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday at the New York Stadium. The Owls can move within one point of the top six with a win on enemy territory this evening, while their opponents need a victory in order to climb out of the drop zone.
The Millers picked up their first point under new boss Neil Redfearn last time out, holding in-form Reading to a home draw in midweek, so they will be feeling rejuvenated heading into this match against another side who currently have their eyes set on the playoffs. Kickoff is less than 30 minutes away now, so let's check out some team news.
TEAM NEWS!
ROTHERHAM UNITED XI: Camp; Buxton, Rawson, Collins, Toffolo; G. Ward, Thorpe, Green, Andreu; Derbyshire, Clarke-Harris
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY XI: Westwood, Hunt, Loovens, Lees, Pudil, Wallace, Hutchinson, Lee, Bannan, Forestieri, Joao
Let's start by taking a look at the visiting side, who have made six changes from last time out. The vast overhaul is largely down to the quick turnaround in games over the past week or so, with Glen Loovens to only new face from last week's meeting with Hull City.
Michael Turner is currently nursing an injury that he picked up last time out, which explains his absence from the heart of the back four. Loovens will therefore partner Tom Lees, in what is essentially a 4-4-2 formation with Fernando Forestieri playing slightly off Lucas Joao.
Joe Newell is still not available for Neil Redfearn to select, meanwhile, so he misses out once more due to injury. Joe Mattock and Danny Ward were both undergoing treatment this week, with neither being declared fit in time to feature.
The diamond formation in midfield remains, with Tony Andreu at the tip to provide some central support for Matt Derbyshire and Jonson Clarke-Harris up top. Should things become compact in the middle, then it will be down to the two full-back to provide some attacking width.
Matt Derbyshire is the only survivor of Rotherham's side that lost 3-2 against Sheffield Wednesday in March
Well having claimed a point at home to Reading in midweek, Rotherham will be now keen to push on and pick up a maximum haul this evening in order to climb out of the drop zone. Only a win will do if that is to be the case, with a draw enough to take them up one spot due to their inferior goal difference.
Any momentum that had been built up this time last month has now gone following the departure of Steve Evans, but under Redfearn they have a manager who clearly has his own ideas about how things should be done. With games against Derby County and Middlesbrough to follow tonight's match, the ex-Leeds United chief will certainly have to hit the ground running in his new job.
The one big problem that needs fixing is the Millers' poor defensive record, which has seen them concede more goals (23) than any other side in the division so far, while only Brentford have recorded fewer clean sheets. This improvement in home form has certainly helped matters, though, with Reading being held to a draw and Cardiff City falling to defeat in two of United's last three outings.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Rotherham have not won at home against Wednesday since 1976, in a run now stretching back nine games. The Millers have tastes victory in just three of the last 17 encounters overall, in fact, with seven of those other matches ending in defeat.
Wednesday will be hopeful of prolonging that impressive recent run against their local rivals, knowing that victory this evening will take them within a point of the playoff zone. They are unlikely to move from their current position of ninth place, unless they can pick up a win by a three-goal margin.
Following a slow start to the campaign under Carlos Carvalhal, the Owls have since turned things around and are now seven unbeaten in all competitions. They have a mouthwatering League Cup tie to look forward to in a few days' time against Arsenal, but before then it is all about maintaining this playoff push.
PREDICTION! It may be a local derby, and Rotherham will certainly be feeling the boost that a new manager brings, but Wednesday are on an impressive run at the moment which I believe they will prolong this evening with a 1-0 win.
Both sets of players are now out on the pitch, with kickoff just moments away in South Yorkshire
KICKOFF! Here we go! A tasty local derby at the New York Stadium to get this action-packed weekend of Football League action underway.
Some fine movement almost allows Derbyshire a clean run through on goal, but Loovens did well to get across to cut out the danger. Wednesday were right on the attack up the other end, with the move breaking down right on the edge of the opposition box.
Buxton swings a decent cross in from the right, which Derbyshire flicks goalwards. Westwood is left scrambling to grab the ball, though it looked to be floating wide of the target anyway. Real frantic start to this match, as you would expect.
A chance for the game to flow a little more now, perhaps, as that frantic opening spell leads to a more tranquil past couple of minutes. Still no major chances, just the odd half-decent opening.
Buxton floats in another cross, this time a little flatter from a deeper position, which evades the reach of Clarke-Harris inside the area. It is very evenly matched at the moment, with the teams taking it in turns to get forward.
A really good atmosphere inside the New York Stadium, which is helped by the large away travelling. Nothing quite like a local derby under the floodlights, is there?
Wednesday have just enjoyed a really good spell of possession, although in truth they could not really work it into the Rotherham box. This Joao-Forestieri partnership certainly looks like it has something to it, but no way through yet.
SHOT! Clarke-Harris has looked impressive so far, using his strength to cause Wednesday's defence a few problems, while his latest shot almost caught Westwood out. The forward took it on from a fair way out, with the Owls stopper happy to collect it at the second attempt.
Rotherham now the team just about on top. One criticism of their game is that they have not been able to create any real opening despite seeing a lot of possession, which can all change in seconds.
Clarke-Harris may have got his long-range drive on target a few minutes ago, but Ross Wallace's effort was well off the mark. Disappointing way to end a promising move.
I mentioned Rotherham's poor defensive record a little earlier, but they are looking very compact at the moment and harrying Wednesday whenever they advance forward. Derbyshire and Clarke-Harris are starting to link well up the other end, meanwhile, so promising signs in the opening quarter of this match.
A decent away following inside the New York Stadium for this South Yorkshire derby
Jack Hunt, who spent some time on loan at Rotherham last season, sends in one of those crosses which looks destined to ripple the net. It flew over the bar in the end, though, to the relief of a backtracking Camp.
So we are nearly 30 minutes into this game but, despite the odd long shot, we have seen very little goalmouth action. Rawson had to be smart to take the ball off Lee a few moments ago, otherwise the deadlock may have been broken.
It has been a game of crosses and long shots so far, with the latest whipped pass being cut out just before it could reach Derbyshire. Still no sign of that opening goal.
A draw certainly should not be written off this evening, incidentally, as we are watching a side with one away win take on a side with one home win this term.
CLOSE! Westwood disappointingly concedes a corner, which leads to one of the game's best chances so far. Collins headed the resulting set piece into the back-post area, but Clarke-Harris was denied by his own teammate as they both went for the same ball.
Well it has not been a classic as we enter these final 10 minutes of the first half. An opening goal will certainly help increase the excitement levels, but at the moment we have not seen a great deal at either end.
Having made six changes from the midweek draw at Queens Park Rangers, you would expect Wednesday to show better fitness levels as this one progresses. All part of the game plan, perhaps, as they look to wear down their opponents?
The last five minutes have pretty much been exclusively in Rotherham's half but, again, there is no end product to come from any of the moves. Hunt is the latest to take on a shot from distance, firing well wide in the end.
CLOSE! Ward's superb cross is taken away from the feet of Green, but there was a better chance to come up the other end. Bannan started an attacking move which culminated in him being played through, yet under real pressure the midfielder had no time to wait for the ball to land and he headed it onto the roof of the net.
CHANCE! Well the game has at last come to life, as Joao lays the ball off nicely for Lee to strike on the edge of the box. It was a really good counter-attack, but Lee could only fire over the bar when he should have been hitting the target at the very least.
Camp slips on the edge of the box, but it does not prove too costly as Forestieri fails to make the most of the opening from a wide position.
YELLOW CARD! Hunt brings down Derbyshire to end a counter attack from the hosts, earning himself the game's first yellow card in the process.
HALF TIME: ROTHERHAM UNITED 0-0 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
No way through for either time in a pretty bland opening 45 minutes in terms of clear-cut chances. Wednesday certainly ended the half the stronger, but they have nothing to show for their efforts.
The game started in typical derby fashion; both sides looking to get forward in an pretty end-to-end start. Clarke-Harris was looking lively, and it was his shot that provided the biggest talking point inside the opening quarter as Westwood had to collect at the second attempt.
Clarke-Harris was again involved in United's only other opening, as both he and Derbyshire jumped for a back-post cross which neither could get their name to. It was then all Wednesday for the closing stages, with Bannan picking out the roof of the net with his headed attempt, before Lee fired over when well placed.
BENCH WATCH!
ROTHERHAM UNITED SUBS: Collin, Broadfoot, Maguire, White, Richardson, Bowery, Smallwood
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY SUBS: Wildsmith, Semedo, Nuhiu, McGugan, Bus, Helan, Sasso
Carlos Carvalhal will be the happier manager judging by the closing minutes of the first half. Wednesday will also be feeling fresher in the second half, having made six changes to their starting lineup.
RESTART! We are back underway at the New York Stadium. A big half of football awaits, but will we see any goals?
GOAL! ROTHERHAM UNITED 0-1 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (LUCAS JOAO)
Well my question was answered just 30 seconds into the second half, thanks to Lucas Joao's breakthrough goal. It was poor defending from the hosts initially, with Forestieri being allowed to get a shot away which Camp could only push into the path of Wednesday's unmarked striker to tap home.
ROTHERHAM UNITED SUB! Andreu makes way for former Wednesday ace Chris Maguire. Neil Redfearn taking action almost immediately after seeing his side fall behind, rather than waiting until the hour mark.
GOAL! ROTHERHAM UNITED 0-2 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (FERNANDO FORESTIERI)
Wednesday scored two quick-fire goals here in the dying stages of the second half last season, well they are doing the business early on this evening. All Rotherham's good work has unravelled over the last four minutes, with some comical defending allowing Pudil to head goalwards. Camp should have done better, but could only push the ball into the path of Forestieri to smash home from close range.
Neil Redfearn really does have a task on his hand making Rotherham defensively resilient. I complimented their compact structure at the back in the first half, but they have just completely collapsed since the restart.
United have just about composed themselves - or it could be a case of Wednesday sitting back slightly more. The hosts need to find their groove and bag a goal to change the complexion of this match.
Wednesday do look as though they have another goal in them, which will have an effect at the top end of the table. One more strike will take them level on goal difference with Cardiff in eighth place.
Joao hits Bannan's pass over the bar as the Owls close in on a third. It is still not game over at 2-0, no matter how comfortable they may look, so another goal will be needed to completely kill off the home side.
The energy levels have remained high throughout this game. Rotherham now showing signs that they can find a route back into the game as Derbyshire heads narrowly wide. Redfearn is now ready to make another change.
ROTHERHAM UNITED SUB! Jordan Bowery comes on in place of Green. It appears to be a flat midfield now, with the newcomer going out to the right-hand side.
SHOT! Chris Maguire opts to take on a free kick from 25 yards out, which Westwood managed to get well behind. That attempt, coupled with Derbyshire's earlier header, suggests that the momentum may just be beginning to swing.
Maguire somehow fails to pick out the net with his header from close range, but the offside flag was already up anyway. Rotherham really need to make the most of this positive spell.
YELLOW CARD! Bannan earns himself a needless yellow card, which provides the lively Maguire another chance to get the ball in the box.
The ball falls nicely to Clarke-Harris, but Loovens and Lees pounced on it to block away the shot. Really good pressure from the Millers.
A short break in play now as Joao receives some treatment on the field. The forward may have lost a tooth after a strong coming together, with Nuhiu now being readied to come on.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY SUB! Joao, who I think was due to be substituted anyway, comes off after that challenge. The camera cuts to the Portuguese on the bench where he is left physically upset.
YELLOW CARD! Hutchinson sees yellow for a stupid dive. Play is being broken up repeatedly now, which will suit the visitors just fine. Meanwhile, Joao still has hit shirt over his head after losing his tooth. Poor sod.
CHANCE! Bannan is teed up by the impressive Forestieri, but can only blast over from eight yards. More importantly, for those interested in tear-gate, Joao is still really upset.
Joao was not happy as he came off, but it had little to do with Carvalhal's decision, more to do with his tooth being knocked out!
YELLOW CARD! Derbyshire is shown a yellow card after tripping Forestieri. This game has had next to no flow for the last 15 minutes or so now.
One goal for Rotherham would still change everything. A reminder - we saw four goals in the final five minutes in the last meeting between the pair.
CHANCE! Rotherham guilty of taking too long on the ball, which again almost proves costly. Once more Bannan is picked out in a good position inside the area, though once more he fails to find the target.
Those quick-fire goals at the start of the second half are looking likely to prove the difference this evening, as Rotherham struggle to muster any sort of attack. Forestieri's work-rate is still impressive even in these dying stages; winning the ball back for his side with two minutes to go with a fine challenge.
YELLOW CARD! Pudil is the third Wednesday player to have his name taken by the referee, who has produced a masterclass in the middle this evening. No major decisions to make, but the officials have got every minor call spot on.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY SUB! Semedo comes on for Hutchinson, with just two minutes of four added on left to play.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY SUB! Good game management from Carvalhal to break up play even with seconds remaining, as Forestieri is replaced by Sergiu Bus.
GOAL! ROTHERHAM UNITED 1-2 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (TOM THORPE)
A late consolation for the hosts, as Tom Thorpe watches the flight of a free kick into the box well to strike home at the back post. We are a minute over the designated four, so that will likely be the last act of this game.
FULL TIME: ROTHERHAM UNITED 1-2 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Sheffield Wednesday are able to see out the additional 30 seconds or so to ensure that it is now eight games without defeat in all competitions. They are now within a point of the playoff zone, with a huge League Cup tie against Arsenal to also look forward to, so things are certainly looking rosy from their perspective.
For Rotherham, on the other hand, they are in deep trouble inside the bottom three. Neil Redfearn claimed his first point as new boss earlier this week, but there was to be no such joy this evening and there is still a lot of work to do prior to games against Derby County and Middlesbrough.
That brings an end to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this evening's game, but be sure to return tomorrow afternoon as we take you through more of the action in England's top tiers.
