Reading hammered another nail in Rotherham's relegation coffin with a 1-0 win at the Madejski Stadium which leaves them six points from safety.
The Millers, desperate for the points, battled hard and were not outplayed, but were undone by Hal Robson-Kanu's goal midway through the second half.
Typically, they played a part in their own downfall as Paul Green squandered possession on the edge of the box and Robson slotted home.
Despite throwing bodies forward, Neil Warnock's created nothing of any danger in the second half as they limped to a 21st league defeat.
However, they should have been awarded a penalty four minutes before the break but referee Kevin Johnson booked Richie Smallwood for diving.
Key moment
Only the diehard Reading fans would contest that the Millers should have been given a penalty in the 41st minute. Richie Smallwood was clearly tripped but the referee saw things differently. If the Millers were awarded that spot-kick and converted it, it would have been completely different.
Man of the match
Kirk Broadfoot - Battling, solid and strong at the back. He led in style.
Goals
Hal Robson-Kanu (1-0 66 minutes) - Paul Green was dispossessed on the edge of the area and it allowed Robson-Kanu to fire into the bottom corner.
Line-ups
Reading:
Al-Habsi, Gunter, Obita, McShane (c), Cooper, Norwood (Rakels), Hector, Quinn,
Robson-Kanu, John (McCleary 73), Kermorgant
Rotherham:
Camp, Richardson, Broadfoot, Wood, Mattock, Halford (Derbyshire 79), Smallwood,
Green (Best 73), Newell, G Ward, Clarke-Harris (Thomas 73) .
Attendance: 13,504 (271)
Referee:
Kevin Johnson
