Match ends, Rotherham United 1, Birmingham City 1.
RotherhamRotherham United1BirminghamBirmingham City1
Danny Ward's late goal ended relegated Rotherham's 10-game losing streak and left Birmingham just four points above the Championship relegation zone.
Ward lashed a powerful low shot past Tomasz Kuszczak into the bottom corner to earn the Millers a deserved point.
Kerim Frei had looked to have earned Birmingham three vital points with his curled free-kick in the second half.
However, Rotherham fought back and could have won it in stoppage time with Jerry Yates shooting over the crossbar.
The Millers, who were relegated to League One on 1 April, could have become the first Championship team since Wimbledon in 2003-04 to lose 11 league games in a row.
But Paul Warne's side fought hard to draw against out-of-form Birmingham, who have now won just two of 23 matches in all competitions under Gianfranco Zola, whose side dropped to 19th place after Bristol City beat QPR.
The Blues struggled to create chances, with Craig Gardner coming closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when his free-kick was tipped around the post by goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell.
Che Adams tested O'Donnell with a low shot, but the away side did not look like scoring until Frei came off the bench to bend a 20-yard free-kick past the Millers goalkeeper.
It looked enough to take the points after Will Vaulks and Carlton Morris had spurned good opportunities for Rotherham, but Ward produced a moment of quality to make it 1-1 with a thumping shot into the bottom corner following a long throw-in.
The division's bottom side could have won just their fifth league game of the season at the death, but Yates volleyed over after being picked out by Richard Smallwood in stoppage time.
Rotherham manager Paul Warne:
"My overriding emotion is contentment because of the run we have been on and they scored a wonder goal with the free-kick.
"It's a difficult job when things are going quite right, they could easily down tools.
"Although we could have taken all three points I am still taking pride for the second half. They had a right go.
"I am edged with a bit of disappointment because of the chance we had at the end but I am pretty buoyant."
Birmingham boss Gianfranco Zola:
"Why should I leave before the end of the season? I don't leave things undone, I can handle the situation so why should I leave?
"We have four games to play. We need those points to be safe, then we will focus on next season. Then I will say things that have to be said.
"At the end of the season I will say a few things and we will assess the situation. I will be the first one to take the responsibility for things."
Line-ups
Rotherham
Formation 4-4-2
- 18O'Donnell
- 17FisherSubstituted forYatesat 61'minutes
- 15Ajayi
- 6WoodBooked at 75mins
- 3MattockBooked at 57mins
- 11Taylor
- 4VaulksBooked at 68mins
- 33Smallwood
- 22NewellSubstituted forAdeyemiat 45'minutes
- 10MorrisSubstituted forClarke-Harrisat 77'minutes
- 9Ward
Substitutes
- 19Clarke-Harris
- 24Adeyemi
- 26Belaid
- 27Bray
- 30Purrington
- 39Yates
- 45Bilboe
Birmingham
Formation 3-5-1-1
- 29Kuszczak
- 31BielikBooked at 53mins
- 5Shotton
- 4RobinsonSubstituted forFrei Koyunluat 55'minutesBooked at 75mins
- 2Nsue
- 26Davis
- 7TescheSubstituted forMaghomaat 90'minutes
- 12GardnerSubstituted forKieftenbeldat 80'minutes
- 3Grounds
- 14Adams
- 15JutkiewiczBooked at 42mins
Substitutes
- 1Legzdins
- 6Kieftenbeld
- 8Gleeson
- 19Maghoma
- 21Frei Koyunlu
- 33Keita
- 48Sinclair
- Referee:
- James Linington
- Attendance:
- 10,160
Match Stats
Home TeamRotherhamAway TeamBirmingham
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away4
- Corners
- Home3
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home17
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Rotherham United 1, Birmingham City 1.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jerry Yates (Rotherham United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Richard Smallwood.
Post update
Attempt missed. Nsue (Birmingham City) right footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the left.
Post update
Jacques Maghoma (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jonson Clarke-Harris (Rotherham United).
Post update
Maikel Kieftenbeld (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jerry Yates (Rotherham United).
Post update
Jonathan Grounds (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jonson Clarke-Harris (Rotherham United).
Post update
Attempt saved. Joe Mattock (Rotherham United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Danny Ward.
Substitution
Substitution, Birmingham City. Jacques Maghoma replaces Robert Tesche.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Che Adams (Birmingham City) because of an injury.
Goal!
Goal! Rotherham United 1, Birmingham City 1. Danny Ward (Rotherham United) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner.
Post update
Attempt missed. Richard Wood (Rotherham United) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Will Vaulks.
Post update
Jonson Clarke-Harris (Rotherham United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Jonathan Grounds (Birmingham City).
Post update
Foul by Richard Smallwood (Rotherham United).
Post update
Lukas Jutkiewicz (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
