Rotherham United back in play-off places, but two points lost in Southend draw

Rotherham United may have moved back into the League One play-off positions, but this was a bad result.
SOUTHEND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Joe Mattock and Clark Robertson of Rotherham United celebrates their team's first goal which came through a Southend United own goal during the Sky Bet League One match between Southend United and Rotherham United at Roots Hall on December 14, 2019 in Southend, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)SOUTHEND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Joe Mattock and Clark Robertson of Rotherham United celebrates their team's first goal which came through a Southend United own goal during the Sky Bet League One match between Southend United and Rotherham United at Roots Hall on December 14, 2019 in Southend, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
SOUTHEND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Joe Mattock and Clark Robertson of Rotherham United celebrates their team's first goal which came through a Southend United own goal during the Sky Bet League One match between Southend United and Rotherham United at Roots Hall on December 14, 2019 in Southend, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)

On the face of it a 2-2 draw at Southend, where the Millers battled back from a losing position, does not seem so bad.

But here's a bit of context. No team in any division has taken less points than the Shrimpers so far this season.

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Had it not been for Bolton's 12-point deduction they would be cut adrift at the foot at the table, now on a measly seven from 21 games.

Managed by former England international Sol Campbell, they had lost eight of their previous nine games at Roots Hall and conceded 30 goals.

Their only win in League One came way back on September 21 at MK Dons.

With Rotherham playing so well on the road, there was surely only going to be one outcome.

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So hapless are Southend, that they even gave Rotherham a first-half leg-up.

Defender Rob Kiernan put through his own net from Jake Hastie's corner after 30 minutes and it looked to have given Paul Warne's men a perfect platform to kick on.

But two goals in three early second-half minutes stunned the visitors as Jason Demetriou converted from the spot following a handball by Chiedozie Ogbene and then Sam Mantom finished coolly when through on goal.

The Millers fought back when Ladapo fired home from close range, and he could have won it at the death but he was denied by home goalkeeper Nathan Bishop.

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The point was enough to take Rotherham sixth and they are only five points off the automatic promotion places.

Warne came out publicly and defended his side, but he will know this was one that got away.

“I thought we showed good character to come back from being 2-1 down and to take a point,” said Warne.

“We wouldn’t have taken a point before the game, we wanted to come here and take all three.

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“On another day we could have nicked it at the end as we really took the game to them.

“Overall, a draw might please them more than me but we’re back in the play-offs now and it’s good.

“We should have won to be honest but at 2-1 down better teams than us would collapse.”