Rotherham manager Paul Warne said his team will not give up despite facing a battle to survive relegation from the Sky Bet Championship after a 3-1 home defeat to Birmingham.
The Blues secured their own status and reached the 50-point mark thanks to goals from Jacques Maghoma, Jota and substitute Kerim Mrabti.
Warne said: “We won’t give up. This group, I have tried to sign characters and leaders.”
Warne said: “It was a must-win game. We didn’t win it so it’s disappointing. We might get a win and a draw and Millwall don’t pick up anything. At half-time today life was looking half full and now it looks half empty.
“They are two games that we need to get something from. I won’t approach them any differently. I am very hopeful if we can pick something up on our travels at West Brom it could come down to the last game.”
Rotherham came close to a second goal with 10 minutes of the half remaining as Joe Newell’s corner was headed goalwards by Semi Ajayi and the rebound was fired over by Will Vaulks from close range.
Birmingham’s second came when Che Adams skipped past Richard Wood and crossed low for Jota to pick his spot and guide the ball into the bottom right corner.
Birmingham manager Garry Monk revealed he had changed to a diamond formation at half-time and that was the key to his side’s victory.
Monk said: “I think in the first half the key was they were well on top of the second balls.
“We changed a little bit tactically at half-time. We had much more bodies around the second balls. That changed the game.
“They were really good goals and we looked a real danger when we got into those situations.”
He explained: “We have been fighting to get us safe, that’s what we have been fighting for since the nine-point deduction.
“I am really proud of the players in what’s been a really difficult season, it’s been one of the toughest I’ve had as a manager.
“I can’t be prouder of the team and the fans. The unity has been important for us.”
