Rotherham United came from behind for the first time this season to overcome in-form QPR.
Freddie Ladapo at the double and Michael Smith at the end of normal time overhauled a brilliant finish by Lyndon Dykes earlier in the game.
The win sees Rotherham start their insane run of four home games in a week with all three points.
The heads butted in the first half as both the Millers and the Hoops tried to work each other out. QPR broke on the counter well, but Rotherham matched each attack. The men in red attacked and possibly had the clearer cut chances as Crooks’ shot was wide of the back post by inches. George Thomas in the White and Blue Hoops had the best chances for QPR, shooting from distance on several occasions. Dykes went close, but no cigar. QPR had the possession game of the first half, but Rotherham looked dangerous when they forged chances.
The Hoops found the breakthrough first. The game was level pegged until a moment of high intensity play from Osman Kakay found a hole in the Rotherham left flank. A peach of a cross found Dykes with space, one touch, bang, easy as that.
Ladapo wanted a bit of the action and latched onto a lofted cross from Lewis Wing. One touch, bang, all square.
Moments later Ladapo broke through again. A clever ball put the striker in a 1v1 after beating the offside trap, leaving the Hoops stood like trees. A composed finish gave the Millers the lead.
It was Smith’s turn to show composure as the game entered the last minute of normal time. A through ball from Jamie Lindsay gave Smith the run of the opposition half. His calm finish put the cherry on the icing on the cake and sealed a vital win.
Rotherham return to the New York on Thursday to face Coventry… who are 3pts above… in the final place of safety.
Massive doesn’t do it justice.
Goals: (Dykes 52), Ladapo 64,66, Smith 90
Teams:
Rotherham: Johansson, S MacDonald (Wing 58), Wiles (Lindsay 58), Ladapo (Sadlier 81), Robertson, Harding, A MacDonald, Olosunde (Wood 45), Crooks © (Smith 58), Barlaser, Giles
(Subs not used: Blackman, Hirst, Ogbene, Jozefzoon)
QPR: Dieng, Dickie, De Wijs (Kane 45), Barbet, Dykes, Johansen, Field (Chair 80), Thomas (Willock 80), Kakay, Hamalainen, Kelman
(Subs not used: Lumley, Bonne, Ball, Bettache, Adomah, Duke-McKenna)
Referee: D Whitestone
The Wandering Yorkshireman 