Rotherham manager Matt Hamshaw hailed a “collective effort” after they edged closer to safety following a dramatic 2-1 home win over Blackpool.
Joe Rafferty’s late goal settled the game and put a dent in the visitors’ hopes of sneaking into the play-off places.
It also saw Rotherham go past the 50-point mark and well away from trouble at the wrong end of the League One table.
Rotherham captain Hakeem Odoffin netted the opener but Blackpool levelled after 81 minutes from the penalty spot when James Husband was brought down by Liam Kelly and Sonny Carey converted.
But in a dramatic finale, Blackpool’s Jake Beesley picked up a second yellow card and just a minute later Rafferty was on hand to turn in the winner at the back post.
Hamshaw made it back-to-back wins in charge after taking over from Steve Evans.
The boyhood Rotherham fan said: “It’s a big three points. My job was to keep the club up.
“It’s hard because we haven’t had a lot of time. Everyone at the club has responded. It’s a collective effort.
“We have brought the group together. I am really proud of the players. I am riding on the crest of a wave at the minute.
“It was about maintaining safety for the football club, it’s a difficult run of fixtures, but I don’t fear anybody and I am trying to embed that within the club.
“There’s things that they are doing what I don’t like and things that I do like.
“The lads have been fantastic and I am really pleased with the last-minute goal and pleased we scored from a set-piece.
“This won’t last forever, we won’t win every game in charge, but it won’t be for a lack of desire.
“It’s about having the feel-good factor back and seeing smiles on faces and that is what it’s all about.”
Blackpool head coach Steve Bruce felt the number of games had an impact on his side but bemoaned the manner in which they conceded the winner.
He said: “We spoke about set-pieces and it proved to be the case.
“To be fair we didn’t deserve much either, if I am being brutally honest.
“First half we looked really, really flat. We were better second half and got ourselves back in the game.
“We did not defend their big strength which is to put it in the box and ask you a few questions.
“We haven’t dealt with it from a long throw and a big punt in the box. There’s no excuses.
“Whether it was the third game in a week, whatever it was, we just weren’t quite there first half.
“We knew this was going to be different to what it would have been 10 days ago but I expected us to defend better than what we did in those set-pieces.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today.Poor Man Utd Napoli step up talks over Darwin Nunez deal Man City's Cherki wants Man Utd revenge This is why Trent can speak Spanish How are there 2 Mbappes? Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t retiring anytime soon. This is what football is all about. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball)...
Ruben Amorim and Manchester United might have an advantage in the race for Frankfurt's standout attacker Hugo Ekitike as he attracts Prem interestMan Utd might have an advantage in the race for Hugo EkitikeManchester United might have an advantage in the race for Frankfurt standout Hugo Ekitike.The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with United, Chelsea and ...
KYLE WALKER has agreed to join Everton on a one-year deal. The England right-back has been locked in talks with Toffees chiefs since his return from his loan spell at AC Milan. Kyle Walker is bringing the curtain down on his glorious Man City careerEverton and current club Manchester City will now thrash out whether it is a permanent deal or just a 12-month loan while he sees out the remainder of ...
Chelsea have enquired about Lyon sensation Malick Fofana as they continue to look for Jadon Sancho's replacement.Chelsea eye move for Lyon's FofanaBlues looking for Sancho's replacementChelsea face LAFC in Club World Cup on MondayWHAT HAPPENED?Per The Athletic, the Blues have made a verbal enquiry about 20-year-old Lyon winger Fofana as they look to bolster their squad in the summer transfer windo...
Everton keen to rival Fenerbahce for WalkerPer journalist Mike McGrath, Everton have shown interest in signing Kyle Walker after the Manchester City star failed to secure an AC Milan move.Last week, reports emerged in the Turkish media that Fenerbahce are keen on signing the veteran full-back as Jose Mourinho is aiming to bolster his squad ahead of the new season. Fenerbahce have even formally sub...
Arsenal, Man Utd ask Real Madrid to name Brahim priceArsenal and Manchester United have sounded out Real Madrid over a price for Brahim Diaz.The former Manchester City midfielder has attracted enquiries from both Premier League giants, says Okdiario.For his part, Brahim is settled in Madrid, though there is concern inside his camp over the imminent arrival of Franco Mastantuono from River Plate.Th...
DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB LeipzigCelta Vigo have signed permanently Iliax Moriba from RB Leipzig.The midfielder had spent last season on-loan with Celta, which have now decided to sign him permanently from RBL for a fee of €6m.Celta announced today: "RC Celta has exercised the purchase option agreed upon last summer with RB Leipzig and has completed its second sign...
Japhet Tanganga's Millwall contract includes a modest £1.2m release clause (Image: Getty)Crystal Palace are interested in signing Japhet Tanganga from south London rivals Millwall. But the Eagles' pursuit of the defender will depend on the sale of Marc Guehi, who is once again attracting interest from some of the Premier League's top sides.Tanganga has spent the past 18 months at The Den, ini...
Andre Onana is set to remain Man Utd's starting goalkeeper (Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)Andre Onana is poised to remain as Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper next season. Despite the Reds' boss Ruben Amorim desiring a new No. 1, seeking a replacement for Onana isn't high on the agenda as United focus on revamping a squad that ended up in 15th place last season.United had an...
Jack Grealish has been left out of Man City's Club World Cup squad (Image: Getty)Liverpool could play an important role in saving Jack Grealish from his Manchester City nightmare this summer. The former Aston Villa talisman has been left out of Pep Guardiola's Club World Cup squad and put up for sale, with City hoping to recoup some of the £100million they paid four years ago, or at least eas...
- 1 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 2 DONE DEAL: Marseille confirm CJ Egan-Riley signing from Burnley
- 3 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 4 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body
- 5 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 6 Maddison and Wag announce they're expecting twins AGAIN
- 7 'If you want to understand, it's really obvious' – USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino responds to Christian Pulisic, eager to move past off-field drama
- 8 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack
- 9 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 10 Daily Laugh - Liverpool are spending big