Promotion hopefuls Rotherham’s stuttering form came to an end with a 2-1 win over Lincoln.
Two goals in three first-half minutes swung the game in the table-topping Millers’ favour as they secured a seven-point cushion over third-placed MK Dons.
Rotherham ended a rare three-game run without victory but were made to hang on at the death by the Imps.
Ben Wiles should have put the home side in front early on. The midfielder was all alone at the back post from Mickel Miller’s cross but fired straight at Lincoln goalkeeper Jordan Wright.
But he made no mistake in the 11th minute after being picked out by Ollie Rathbone, sliding his effort in off the post.
Wiles led another Millers attack in the 13th minute, with Chiedozie Ogbene finishing it off superbly into the same bottom corner to double the lead.
Lincoln improved in the second period and Tom Hopper should have halved the deficit but he blazed over from close range.
Hopper did take the next chance that came his way, sweeping home from Cohen Bramall’s cross in the 81st minute to set up a nervy end for the home side.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Rotherham
Formation 3-1-4-2
- 31Vickers
- 20Ihiekwe
- 6WoodBooked at 70mins
- 3Mattock
- 4BarlaserSubstituted forMacDonaldat 67′minutes
- 11Ogbene
- 18RathboneBooked at 45minsSubstituted forOdoffinat 77′minutes
- 8Wiles
- 14Miller
- 24Smith
- 19KayodeSubstituted forHardingat 67′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Johansson
- 2Harding
- 7Osei-Tutu
- 17Ferguson
- 21MacDonald
- 22Odoffin
- 23Edmonds-Green
Lincoln City
Formation 3-5-2
- 29Wright
- 22Eyoma
- 5Jackson
- 16WalshBooked at 82mins
- 20Norton-Cuffy
- 12BishopSubstituted forSørensenat 73′minutes
- 19Fiorini
- 11ScullySubstituted forCullenat 69′minutes
- 15Bramall
- 27Marquis
- 9HopperBooked at 49mins
Substitutes
- 6Sanders
- 7Whittaker
- 8Cullen
- 10Maguire
- 14Adelakun
- 17House
- 21Sørensen
- Referee:
- Andy Haines
- Attendance:
- 9,575
Live Text
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Match ends, Rotherham United 2, Lincoln City 1.
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Second Half ends, Rotherham United 2, Lincoln City 1.
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John Marquis (Lincoln City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Michael Ihiekwe (Rotherham United).
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Attempt missed. Lasse Sørensen (Lincoln City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Liam Cullen.
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Attempt saved. Liam Cullen (Lincoln City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Tom Hopper with a headed pass.
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Foul by Liam Cullen (Lincoln City).
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Michael Ihiekwe (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Cohen Bramall (Lincoln City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Mickel Miller (Rotherham United).
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Corner, Lincoln City. Conceded by Richard Wood.
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Attempt saved. Hakeem Odoffin (Rotherham United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Wes Harding.
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Joe Walsh (Lincoln City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Joe Walsh (Lincoln City).
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Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Goal! Rotherham United 2, Lincoln City 1. Tom Hopper (Lincoln City) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Cohen Bramall.
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Corner, Rotherham United. Conceded by Adam Jackson.
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Foul by Cohen Bramall (Lincoln City).
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Wes Harding (Rotherham United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Substitution, Rotherham United. Hakeem Odoffin replaces Oliver Rathbone.