Lewis Grabban scored his second goal in as many games for Forest
Lewis Grabban's late penalty finally broke Rotherham's stubborn resistance to give Nottingham Forest back-to-back wins.
A game of few chances looked to be heading for a tame goalless draw until Ryan Williams brought down Ben Osborn, and Grabban dispatched the spot-kick.
Neither side mustered a shot on target in a forgettable first half, but Forest sparked into life soon after the break against the defensively-minded Millers.
Joao Carvalho brought down Saidy Janko's cross and fired against the post, and then led a swift counter-attack which saw Gil Dias' low shot force the first save of the match.
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The City Ground is not a happy hunting ground for Rotherham, who had won just once in 17 visits and not beaten Forest in a 22-match streak stretching back to September 1956.
They were content to cede possession and let their five-man midfield attempt to stifle the attacking threat of Aitor Karanka's side, with Richard Towell's shot from an acute angle forcing the only save from Forest keeper Costel Pantilimon.
But Rotherham's hard work and stubborn resistance looked to have earned its due until Joe Lolley's through ball and Osborn's run finally unpicked their back four, and Grabban held his nerve.
Forest, who are unbeaten at home in eight matches, moved up to ninth, while United, who have lost all five away matches this season, dropped a place to 19th.
Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka: "The problem was that we were physically and mentally tired.
"Three games in a week has been really intense. But in this Championship, it is important to win the games when you do not play to your best.
"We will keep going, we will keep working and we will keep improving."
Manager of Rotherham United Paul Warne told BBC Sheffield: "I thought we were excellent, we set up in the right way, on the counter-attack we looked really dangerous.
"The lads have trained really well, they came into the game with a lot of confidence and I think they were more than deserved of a point.
"It's difficult to take at the moment. The win will come sooner or later, but I'm really proud of how they performed."
Line-upsMatch StatsLive TextLine-upsNottm Forest1Pantilimon21Janko44Hefele4Fox18Robinson5GuédiouraBooked at 32minsSubstituted forLolleyat 60'minutes8Watson31Bastião DiasSubstituted forCashat 72'minutes10Antunes CarvalhoSubstituted forBridcuttat 90+3'minutes11Osborn7GrabbanSubstitutes14Cash15Steele19Cupido Goncalves20Dawson23Lolley26Bridcutt27DarikwaRotherham1Rodák28JonesBooked at 33mins5Ajayi6Wood3Mattock13TowellBooked at 86minsSubstituted forTaylorat 88'minutes4VaulksBooked at 90mins17ManningSubstituted forPalmerat 72'minutes23Williams9ProctorSubstituted forSmithat 45'minutes19VassellSubstitutes2Vyner7Forde8Palmer11Taylor12Price24Smith25WilesReferee:Robert JonesAttendance:27,479Match StatsHome TeamNottm ForestAway TeamRotherhamPossessionHome63%Away37%ShotsHome9Away4Shots on TargetHome2Away1CornersHome4Away4FoulsHome11Away20Live TextPosted at
Match ends, Nottingham Forest 1, Rotherham United 0.
Full TimePosted at 90'+5'
Second Half ends, Nottingham Forest 1, Rotherham United 0.
Posted at 90'+4'
Michael Hefele (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90'+4'
Foul by Michael Smith (Rotherham United).
SubstitutionPosted at 90'+3'
Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Liam Bridcutt replaces João Carvalho.
BookingPosted at 90'+2'
Will Vaulks (Rotherham United) is shown the yellow card.
Posted at 90'+2'
Offside, Rotherham United. Billy Jones tries a through ball, but Michael Smith is caught offside.
Posted at 90'
Michael Hefele (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90'
Foul by Kyle Vassell (Rotherham United).
Posted at 90'
Foul by Matthew Cash (Nottingham Forest).
Posted at 90'
Matthew Palmer (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
SubstitutionPosted at 88'
Substitution, Rotherham United. Jon Taylor replaces Richard Towell.
Goal!Posted at 86'
Goal! Nottingham Forest 1, Rotherham United 0. Lewis Grabban (Nottingham Forest) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
BookingPosted at 86'
Richard Towell (Rotherham United) is shown the yellow card.
Posted at 85'
Penalty Nottingham Forest. Ben Osborn draws a foul in the penalty area.
Posted at 85'
Penalty conceded by Ryan Williams (Rotherham United) after a foul in the penalty area.
Posted at 85'
Matthew Cash (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 85'
Foul by Richard Towell (Rotherham United).
Posted at 82'
Saidy Janko (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 82'
Foul by Kyle Vassell (Rotherham United).
Posted at 81'
Corner, Rotherham United. Conceded by Jack Robinson.
Posted at 80'
Matthew Cash (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 80'
Foul by Kyle Vassell (Rotherham United).
Posted at 78'
Attempt saved. Richard Towell (Rotherham United) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Michael Smith.
Posted at 77'
Offside, Rotherham United. Will Vaulks tries a through ball, but Joe Mattock is caught offside.
Posted at 75'
Foul by Jack Robinson (Nottingham Forest).
Posted at 75'
Michael Smith (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 74'
Offside, Nottingham Forest. Joe Lolley tries a through ball, but Lewis Grabban is caught offside.
SubstitutionPosted at 72'
Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Matthew Cash replaces Gil Dias.
SubstitutionPosted at 72'
Substitution, Rotherham United. Matthew Palmer replaces Ryan Manning.
Posted at 70'
Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Kyle Vassell.
Posted at 69'
Corner, Rotherham United. Conceded by Jack Robinson.
Posted at 65'
Offside, Nottingham Forest. João Carvalho tries a through ball, but Lewis Grabban is caught offside.
Posted at 65'
João Carvalho (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 65'
Foul by Will Vaulks (Rotherham United).
Posted at 62'
Ben Watson (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 62'
Foul by Michael Smith (Rotherham United).
SubstitutionPosted at 60'
Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Joe Lolley replaces Adlène Guédioura.
Posted at 59'
Attempt blocked. Ben Osborn (Nottingham Forest) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Gil Dias.
Posted at 57'
Costel Pantilimon (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Source: bbc.com