Rafferty’s late strike sinks sorry Seasiders

By Will Weston

ROTHERHAM U 2

Odoffin 26, Rafferty 90

ROTHERHAM: Dawson 7, Rafferty 7, Odoffin 8, Humphreys 7, Mpanzu 6, Kelly 6 (Holmes 86), Powell 7, James 6, Sibley 8, Wilks 6 (Hugill 68, 6), Nombe 8 (Clarke-Harris 90). Subs not used: Phillips, Hull, Duncan, Richardson.

BLACKPOOL 1

Carey 81 (pen)

BLACKPOOL: Tyrer 7, Offiah 6, Casey 7, Husband 7, Coulson 7, Apter 6 (Silvera 45, 6), Evans 6 (Bloxham 35, 6), Morgan 7, Carey 7, Fletcher 6 (Beesley 45, 5), Ennis 6 (Hamilton 45, 7). Subs not used: O’Donnell, Lawrence-Gabriel, Pennington.

Att: 9,172 Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Elliot Bell 6/10

MATT Hamshaw’s revitalised Rotherham United dealt a blow to Blackpool’s playoff hopes, securing a vital late victory to edge closer to safety.

Joe Rafferty’s 90th-minute goal handed Hamshaw his second win in charge of the Millers following Steve Evans’ dismissal.

Rotherham captain Hakeem Odoffin had opened the scoring from close range before Sonny Carey converted from the spot to equalise for Blackpool. Rafferty’s dramatic late goal then sealed the win for Rotherham.

“It’s a big three points,” said Hamshaw, a boyhood od Rotherham fan. “My job was to keep the club up. It’s hard because we haven’t had a lot of time.

Everyone at the club has responded. It’s a collective effort.

“We have brought the group together. I am really proud of the players. I am riding on the crest of a wave at the minute.

“It’s a difficult run of fixtures, but I don’t fear anybody and I am trying to embed that within the club.

“The lads have been fantastic and I am really pleased with the last minute goal and pleased we scored from a set-piece.

“This won’t last forever, we won’t win every game in charge, but it won’t be for a lack of desire.”

Rotherham took a 26th-minute lead, with skipper Odoffin slamming in after Mallik Wilks had been denied at close range by Harry Tryer.

Blackpool head coach Steve Bruce made three changes at the break and one of them, Jake Beesley, had a good chance to level, but lashed wide on the half-volley.

Cameron Dawson was then called into action by Carey’s effort from the edge of the box, and Sammy Silvera’s dangerous cross evaded everyone.

Blackpool drew level with an 81st-minute penalty after James Husband was caught by Liam Kelly, and Carey stepped up to beat Dawson. Two incidents in the space of a minute changed the game.

Blackpool’s Beesley picked up a second booking and headed for an early bath, and moments later Rafferty was on hand at the back post to turn it in and snatch the points for the home side.

“To be fair we didn’t deserve much, if I am being brutally honest,” Bruce said after the game. “First half we looked really, really flat. There’s no excuses. Whether it was the third game in a week, whatever it was, we just weren’t quite there.”