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Swansea City 1-0 Rotherham United: Andy Rinomhota own goal leaves Swans all but safe

Liam Cullen wastes a golden chance to give Swansea an early lead
Liam Cullen wasted a golden chance to give Swansea an early lead [Huw Evans picture agency]

Swansea City all but confirmed their Championship survival as an Andy Rinomhota own goal gave them victory over already-relegated Rotherham United.

On-loan Cardiff City midfielder Rinomhota headed Liam Walsh's corner into his own net to condemn the Millers to the 28th league defeat of their miserable season.

For a while Rotherham seemed destined to claim just their fifth away point of the campaign, with Swansea looking toothless despite their domination until Rinomhota's unfortunate contribution.

A second successive victory lifts Swansea to 53 points and, though they are not mathematically safe, Luke Williams' side can surely now look forward to a seventh straight season in the second tier.

That was the primary goal for Williams following his appointment as head coach in early January, with his players conjuring just enough positive performances to pull clear of the relegation picture with three games to come this season.

Bottom-club Rotherham, who last triumphed away from home in November 2022, have won only one of their last 19 league games.

The South Yorkshire club's wait for an away success never looked like coming to an end in Wales, with Swansea controlling possession and territory almost throughout.

They ought to have been ahead early on when Jamie Paterson played in Liam Cullen, but his shot flew straight at Viktor Johansson.

For all their control of the ball, Swansea lacked the tempo to trouble Leam Richardson's defence again until just before the break, when Paterson dispossessed Cameron Humphreys near halfway and drove goalwards.

With recovering defenders bearing down, Paterson took aim from 20 yards - and Johansson produced another sharp save.

The Rotherham keeper was in action in first-half stoppage time, beating away Ronald's fierce drive.

The pattern of a forgettable contest continued in the second period, with Swansea continuing to look after the ball without looking like breaking Rotherham down.

It was perhaps no surprise that the breakthrough came in somewhat comical fashion, with Rinomhota turning Liam Walsh's set-piece into his own net at the near post.

Rotherham offered almost nothing going forward until the last seconds of the game, when Arvin Appiah crossed for fellow substitute Tom Eaves but he could only head wide of the target.