Last updated on .From the section Championship

James Collins made his debut in the Ipswich defence against Rotherham

Ipswich Town secured a vital three points as on-loan striker Will Keane's first-half goal proved enough to overcome visiting Rotherham.

Keane struck his first goal for the Tractor Boys just after the half-hour mark after good work from Freddie Sears.

Keane, on loan from Hull, miscontrolled the original ball but made no mistake when it came back to him off a defender to drill home from close range.

Ipswich had a great chance to go 2-0 up just before the break but Sears hooked his effort over, while Rotherham almost equalised through Jon Taylor.

Rotherham piled on the pressure in the second half but Ipswich were able to see out five minutes of injury time to claim an important three points in their battle against relegation.

The game took a long time to come to life with no chances of note in the first 30 minutes, before Keane struck in his first start since joining Ipswich, who also gave a debut to veteran centre-back James Collins.

The Millers responded well to going behind and had a great chance to equalise just before half-time, but Taylor missed the target when well-placed.

They had several opportunities to grab an equaliser in a dominant second-half display, with Will Vaulks and Michael Smith both going close.

Despite the win, Ipswich remain at the foot of the Championship, while Rotherham are just one place and two points outside the relegation zone.

Ipswich manager Paul Lambert: "In the first half I thought we were very good, really strong and worked the ball but they made it difficult in the second half and I don't think there were two passes strung together; just long balls and throw-ins and set plays.

"But the pleasing thing is we defended fantastically. The ball never (seemed to) come down. It was never out of the air, long balls you have got to deal with and I felt we dealt with it really, really well.

"I thought James Collins and the other new lads were outstanding."

Rotherham manager Paul Warne told BBC Radio Sheffield: "I thought the team performance was outstanding. It was literally one-way traffic. We did everything we could to win the game but it just didn't drop for us.

"I can't ask for any more from our team, we just needed to take our chances.

"It was disappointing because we conceded with the only shot they had on target. That is the best second half we have had away from home this season so it's hugely disappointing for the lads that they haven't got anything from it."