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Blues started the game well, looking to get at relegation-threatened Rotherham, but soon found themselves in a game where the ball was in the air more than on the ground, which suited the Millers style somewhat more. It was Blues who went close first, however, when a Geoff Horsfield knock-down was fired goalwards by Tommy Mooney who was denied by an excellent Mike Pollitt stop. Mooney again went close with a dipping half volley, but it was the home side who took the lead.
After 35 minutes Olivier Tebily was simply muscled off the ball by Alan Lee, who crossed for Darren Byfield, who capitalised on a Nico Vaesen slip to blast the ball home. The home side's joy was short-lived, however, as Blues equalised just a minute later. Bryan Hughes took a theatrical tumble some 25 yards out when challenged by Stewart Talbot, and Martin Grainger sweetly despatched the resultant free-kick via the underside of Pollitt's crossbar.
The second half saw the ball airborne for long periods of time again, with both sides equally guilty of playing some dismal football. After 58 minutes though, the home side went 2-1 up, thanks to another sweetly hit free-kick. Martin McIntosh, who was always a danger from set pieces, curled in a shot from the right hand corner of the penalty box, with Vaesen possibly at fault for being caught in no-man's land off his line.
Blues again managed to fight back, and got their reward with 20 minutes remaining with a somewhat bizarre goal. Mooney drove the ball across goal, and Chris Beech appeared to clear the ball off the line, onto Pollitt's back, and into the back of the net. Still, who cared how it went in?
The remainder of the game was hard-fought, with both teams not really wanting to settle for the point that they both consequently got. Darren Carter and Mooney again went close for Blues, with Byfield wasting a glorious opportunity when one-on-one with Vaesen.
In the end, Blues had to be satisfied with a point from a below-par performance. Unfortunately Blues now have to win against Sheffield United. True, they could still yet qualify after a defeat, yet with Millwall, Norwich and Burnley all facing home games themselves, a win could well be a necessity. Blues can never do it the simple way...
As for Rotherham, credit where credit is due. Ronnie Moore has done a superb job over the past few years, and barring a 10-0 defeat at Gresty Road next Sunday, their First Division status will be maintained. Blues however are still hoping that they'll be avoiding another trip to Millmoor next season, but have barely made things easy for themselves.
Richard Barker
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