Tom Adeyemi’s 79th minute goal saw already-relegated Rotherham United to a 1-0 win against a much-changed Blues side at the New York Stadium. Town keeper Dean Gerken saved a seventh minute Danny Ward penalty, while the Blues went closest to scoring when Dominic Samuel hit the bar in the first half.

Mick McCarthy made nine changes for a game which had nothing riding on it with only skipper Luke Chambers and left-back Myles Kenlock remaining from the team which beat Newcastle United 3-1 on Monday.

Gerken returned in goal with Tommy Smith partnering Chambers at the centre of the defence and Josh Emmanuel at right-back.

In midfield, Teddy Bishop joined Toumani Diagouraga in central midfield, while Andre Dozzell was to their left and Danny Rowe made his full Town debut on the right of a front three. On-loan Reading man Samuel was also handed his full debut up front along with Brett Pitman.

Former Town keeper Lewis Price was on the bench for the Millers, while defender Semi Ajayi, who had a trial with the Blues in 2015, was among the starters.

Grant Ward, who was amongst the Town subs, was warmly applauded by the New York Stadium faithful when his named was announced prior to kick-off having spent last season on loan with at Rotherham.

Neither side had threatened until the seventh minute when the home side were awarded a penalty by referee Jeremy Simpson, who gave three the last time he took charge of a Blues match, the 2-1 loss at Reading in September.

Danny Ward, a January Town target, won a battle for a ball into the area with Chambers and his shot deflected to Jon Taylor, who was clumsily bundled over by Josh Emmanuel as he broke into the area. The official looked to have got it right.

Ward took what was his side’s first spotkick of the season and slammed it low to Gerken’s left but the Blues glovesman, making only his fifth start of the season, got across superbly and stuck out a strong arm to keep it out, much to the delight of the visiting fans behind his goal.

Two minutes later, Ward played a ball for Adeyemi to chase but Emmanuel held him off and Gerken claimed.

On 14 the Town keeper comfortably dealt with a Taylor strike at the far post with Rotherham having started strongly, despite missing the chance to go in front from the spot.

However, the Blues were beginning to pass the ball around in spells and two minutes later, Samuel won a freekick just outside the area but which ultimately came to nothing.

Rotherham continued to create opportunities at the other end and on 21 Gerken failed to punch a ball lofted back into the area after a corner and Chambers and Smith made important blocks from Adeyemi and Ajayi before Kenlock eventually cleared the danger.

Dozzell had by now moved inside with Bishop on the left of a midfield four and was starting to see more of the ball. In the 23rd minute Ajayi did well to cut out a clever through ball for Samuel.

On 34 Carlton Morris shot well over for the Millers but three minutes later the Blues went close to going in front.

Dozzell fed Rowe to his right and the January signing from Macclesfield cut in and hit a low shot which Rotherham keeper Richard O’Donnell saved well down to his left. The loose ball fell to Samuel at a tight angle and the on-loan Royal smashed the rebound against the bar.

Town, with Dozzell beginning to pull the strings with increasing confidence in the centre of midfield, were getting on top and starting to press for a goal as half-time approached.

In the final moments of one minute of injury time Rotherham striker Ward pulled up as he chased a ball alongside Smith with what appeared to be a pulled hamstring and was replaced by Alex Bray at the start of the second half.

Much-changed Town had taken a while to settle and would have been behind but for Gerken’s excellent penalty save.

The Millers had one or two more chances before the Blues began to take charge in the latter stages with Rowe and then Samuel both unfortunate not to have scored.

Town, who had Bishop back in a central role and Dozzell on the left as the half restarted, struck the second half’s first shot but Samuel’s low effort from 30 yards flew well wide of O’Donnell’s right post.

Eight minutes after the restart the Millers were forced to swap Ajayi, who had undergone treatment for an injury in the first half, for Anthony Forde.

Moments later, Diagouraga was booked for a foul and from the freekick deep on the left Will Vaulks stabbed an Adeyemi long ball wide from a tight angle on the right.

On 57 at the other end Pitman seized on an error by Vaulks as they chased a bouncing ball into the area but under-hit his shot and O’Donnell saved to his right.

Bishop was replaced by Kieffer Moore in the 63rd minute with Samuel moving to the left of a front with Rowe on the right of the midfield three.

Two minutes after the the change, the ex-Forest Green Rovers frontman wasn’t far away from putting the Blues in front. Rowe and Pitman had exchanged passes on the right and the ex-Bournemouth man crossed low but just too far in front of the sliding Moore.

Rowe hit a deflected shot wide in the 66th minute with the Blues starting to put the Millers under pressure.

Three minutes later, the former Macclesfield man went even closer when the ball fell to him following a freekick on the left. However, his deftly struck effort from the edge of the box curled just the wrong side of O’Donnell’s right post.

Town threatened again in the 70th minute when Moore was sent away on the right and crossed low for Samuel but Darnell Fisher turned the ball across the face of goal and behind. From the corner, Chambers nodded down and wide.

Joe Mattock picked up the Millers’ first booking for a poor challenge on Kenlock before Town swapped Diagouraga for Kevin Bru.

Rotherham chances had been rare since the break but on 78 the home side weren’t far away from opening the scoring. Forde crossed from the left and sub Jonson Clarke-Harris’s header caught Smith before bouncing past the wrong-footed Gerken’s right post.

But Millers fans didn’t have to wait too much longer for a goal. Following a corner, Fisher returned the ball from deep and it fell to Adeyemi, who smashed past Gerken.

Town almost got back on terms immediately, Moore heading a Rowe corner from the left goalwards but Fisher nodded off the line.

The Blues went close again on 83 but O’Donnell did well to block Samuel’s powerfully hit volley.

The Millers might have made it 2-0 a minute later when Gerken pawed Forde’s left-wing cross out to Taylor but the winger blazed over.

Town swapped Rowe, who had looking lively before tiring towards the end, for Freddie Sears for the final five minutes.

Clarke-Harris curled a freekick wide in four minutes of injury time which Rotherham saw out comfortably to end their run of 17 games without a win and to record only their fifth home victory of the season, the final whistle receiving a loud cheer from the Millers’ beleaguered support.

The game had looked set to end in a goalless draw - which would probably have been a fairer reflection of the game overall - before Adeyemi’s goal, which was a poor one to concede from Town’s perspective with Fisher’s ball into the box one which ought to have been dealt with.

Prior to Rotherham going in front, the Blues, although not always fluent, had looked the more likely scorers with chances starting to be carved out with greater regularity and they might have done better with some of their opportunities.

While the Millers goal led to the inevitable chants aimed at Mick McCarthy from sections of the travelling support, the result should been seen in the context of Town having fielded a young and significantly changed team - featuring five academy graduates - against a more senior side, even if it was one as comprehensively relegated as Rotherham.

The Blues have the dubious honour of being the only Championship team not to have beaten the Millers at least once this season.

There were positives to be taken from the display with Dozzell dictating the game for spells before tiring late on, while Rowe was a threat from the right and, along with Samuel, will feel he ought to have taken at least one of his chances.

The result sees the Blues drop to 16th with two games of their 2016/17 remaining, at home to Sheffield Wednesday next Saturday and at Nottingham Forest on the final day.

Rotherham: O’Donnell, Fisher, Ajayi (Forde 53), Wood, Mattock, Adeyemi, Smallwood, Vaulks, Taylor, Morris (Clarke-Harris 70), Ward (Bray 46). Unused: Price, Newell, Belaid, Purrington.

Town: Gerken, Emmanuel, Chambers (c), T Smith, Kenlock, Diagouraga (Bru 75), Bishop (Moore 63), Dozzell, Rowe (Sears 85), Samuel, Pitman. Unused: Bialkowski, Skuse, Digby, Ward, Sears. Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire). Att: 8,266 (Town: 704).

Photo: TWTD

algarvefan added 17:44 - Apr 22 It seems to me that there is absolutely no satisfying some supporters, Mick is hung if he doesn't play fringe players and hung if he does. It was an experiment that didn't come off, 9 changes maybe a little bit much, but you wanted him to experiment, so let him and let's see where it takes us. I agree the squad is weak, lets hope there is a little cash this summer to spend!!

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Blandford added 17:44 - Apr 22 I know we fielded a weakened side but today showed how much work needs to be done between now and August. When Bart and others are sold to cover the shortfall in season ticket sales, Berra, possibly Chambers leave and the loanees return to their parent clubs, many of today's team will form the bulk of our first team squad for next season. Unless investment is forthcoming we are likely to find next season even more difficult than the one we have just suffered.

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slade1 added 17:52 - Apr 22 What is wrong with people on here? Get in the real world hey! The result today was immaterial, it was a case of giving the fringe players a run out regardless of the result Ok we may have lost but they got a good run out and some more experience. Maybe they didn't play to their full potential but that's something that comes with more games playing together. Todays result was never going to be a issue, it was a giving fringe players pitch time. Get real!!!!

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TractorBeezer added 17:57 - Apr 22 MM in a no win situation today...in more ways than one. However 9 changes was a bit much especially after suggesting a couple of changes a week ago after Newcastle. Also he couldn't resist praising Douglas which wasn't necessary at all. H e would be smarter to rebuild relationship with the fans.
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brittaniaman added 18:00 - Apr 22 STRANGE ! We beat the top team on Monday and lose to the Bottom team on Saturday !!!! We know that he made 9 changes, His Fault ! that was too many changes at one go to cope with ?? and as for bigging up his mate Douglas mentioning his fitness for 90mins. well the the last game he played mostly around middle of the pitch and not a box to box man Dino, I suppose you would like to give him another Contract ???? Brentford have done nicely since he left them.

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cat added 18:05 - Apr 22 Absolutely destroyed that none of the fringe players or youngsters managed to shine today, by all account. This typifies our season, everything our Dino has tried has kind of failed. We should have used this season to 'blood them' gradually. Can't say I'm particularly bothered with the result however as this was a nothing game. Roll on next season with hopefully a new manager in place.

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Tony88 added 18:07 - Apr 22 I don't believe it, week after week our moaners have constantly asked why we don't give the younger players a chance, we give them a chance (maybe too many in one go) and now they are slagging them off after one match. PATHETIC.
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yorksblue added 18:08 - Apr 22 Slade1- so it doesnt matter that 704 fans travelled all that way for a non-event. I suggest you may have more money than sense.
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superdicksy added 18:11 - Apr 22 Proved today the dinosaur Cannot get the best of the players at his disposal Time 4 a change Young manager new ideas Paul tisdale Exeter Paul Cooke Portsmouth Both play good passing game also play there players in correct positions Come on mr Evans most fans can see new ideas needed Over to you
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camblue added 18:12 - Apr 22 All this talk of too many changes, what have they been doing in training all week. Well done all those supporters who went today. Would have been nice for McCarthy to acknowledge them. Sums up the man perfectly. McCarthy OUT.
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Taricco_Fan added 18:17 - Apr 22 Whilst I welcome opportunities for young/fringe players, nine changes was too much. After good wins against Burton and Newcastle it seems a shame to spoil the momentum, especially at a team that's rock bottom. We have a decent first eleven but also a fair bit of deadwood to clear out in the summer.
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Pilgrimblue added 18:19 - Apr 22 No Bert we haven't! 9 changes for a game that we should've won. Introducing players like Rowe and Dozzy should have been with most of team playing. As for mentioning Douglas is beyond me!
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TimmyH added 18:23 - Apr 22 If Mick is here in August (which I think he will be ) his 'rebuilding' will take some thinking about - some 'old faithfuls; deserve to be put out to graze and going on this showing today some of the fringe players might need to follow or have the proverbial boot up the back side if they're going to get us going forwards, that's if you believe the spin that Mick will rebuild - most probably try and keep hold of his old favourites and build around them. Don't forget Mick started Dozzell, Kenlock, Emmanuel at the end of last season and then... Losing to a league 1 team isn't good enough, McCarthy out.

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dangerous30 added 18:24 - Apr 22 Glad we tried are fringe players today it gave them. Bit more experience. Are season has been over for a long time.
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Bluetone added 18:24 - Apr 22 Leaving out the loan players who won't be here next season is a good move but then to make 9 changes including playing some of the players out of position McCarthy was setting the team up to lose to prove a point thinking the fans would not see through his silly scheme. McCarthy we are not as stupid as you in thinking we would fall for it. To judge the young fringe players you bring them in a couple at a time and give them a chance to integrate in the team not just dump them in by making nine changes unless, of course, you want them to fail which, no doubt. suits your plans. Just go while the club can be saved from your poor and stubborn management

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TimmyH added 18:28 - Apr 22 Agree with others...too many changes from Monday - 2 or 3 would have sufficed.
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Surco72 added 18:34 - Apr 22 It's MMs squad MMs team selection and MMs team that got beat by bottom of the league poor result , poor season , failed objectives' time to go MM
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walberblue added 18:45 - Apr 22 thanks Mick for the insight into how things will be next season. when all the decent players leave during the summer, this is practically the 1st team that we'll be supporting next year. 5 years and largely left alone to get on with it, MM has created a side that can't beat a Div1 side with nothing to play for. Bravo Maestro. 9 changes and that's the team for next season. Hang you head in shame Mick.

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walberblue added 18:46 - Apr 22 WE ARE THE NEW ROTHERHAM
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walberblue added 18:48 - Apr 22 How long before bottom six mick announces Douglas contract extension?
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cfmoses added 18:56 - Apr 22 Seems the only way MM bloods his fringe players is to play them all at once. We are not Arsenal reserves. This is just bad management. And of course he simply doesn't learn...today felt like another Stevenage Portsmouth Lincoln etc. In his pre match interview on Ipswich player he said he still wasn't sure of his line up. Let's assume that was filmed on Thursday. To then make a decision to make 9 changes beggars belief. If he was aware of such thinking on Monday he might have coached his "reserves" to work and train together. But then that would have a professional and let's face it MM is in a different class.

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Cloddyseedbed added 18:58 - Apr 22 Today has just compounded my frustration of the manager and the set up at the club. MM sticks 2 fingers up to supporters in every game that does not mean anything to him. Cup games every time and todays game where we are safe and Rotherham are down. You can't just change the team wholesale and expect a good result, it never has worked and we never learn anything from it. Apart from a team of new players can't gel and don't know how each other play as a team. I despair at this approach. If a player or two are drafted into the team in their favoured position it is a more realistic way of seeing what a player is capable of. Doing what MM did today is pointless, only minipulates the mind games MM plays with younger fringe players and supporters. If your not one of MM favourites your path to succeed will be hampered and not helped by this managers approach. Nothing will change for next season whilst he is in charge, boring players brought in, boring tactics and low budgets. For god sake get some fresh air back into the club with a manager who is more positive and encourages fringe players to do well. There is no incentive for them at this club within this regime. MM is taking the P out of supporters, owner and certain players by his selection process and comments. He is wrecking our club and reputation. We don't want players signed for tens of millions just a different approach to how we play and how the squad is managed. After the Newcastle game we saw how we can play, but this manager can't get us to do it only once in 18 months!

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cornishblu added 19:00 - Apr 22 Result not immaterial if you were one of the 700 away fans ....easy to say from your armchair and not having spent the money ....people's acceptance of mediocrity astounds me
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Gatehouse added 19:13 - Apr 22 Glad mick the stubborn made some changes and one game is unfair to judge players on but what I heard I thought Rowe had a good game and I'd play him against SW and NF as Lawerence won't be here next season.but more worryingly what's happened to Bishop and dozzell I understand a lack of playing time this year for one reason or another but Bishop in particular has really not developed how much of that is down to mick the stubborn time will tell I still believe a new manager that has faith in the youth is what's needed,please Mr Evans wake up and do the right thing for the sake of this club we've got potential coming through but under mick he'll never trust it and the belief they have will be drained from them

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brazil1982 added 19:20 - Apr 22 Dozzell dictated parts of the game? What game were you watching?!
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