Rotherham’s relegation from the Championship was confirmed after they lost 1-0 at home to Plymouth.
Leam Richardson’s team knew only victory would keep their outside hopes of survival alive but they could not muster a fightback after Bali Mumba had put Argyle ahead in the first half.
The interim head coach Neil Dewsnip, supported by Kevin Nancekivell, was in the dugout for the visitors after Ian Foster’s catastrophic reign was brought to an end earlier this week, with Argyle only picking up one win in their past 11 matches.
The run dragged them deep into relegation trouble of their own but Mumba’s strike gave them only their third victory on the road this season and moves them four points clear of the drop zone.
Rotherham’s first effort came from Seb Revan, who, encouraged by his goal on Easter Monday, took aim from distance but fired high and wide. Plymouth threatened when a set piece bobbled around the six-yard area before being eventually scrambled away by the Rotherham defence.
The visitors’ Callum Wright could not get a shot away in time from a promising position as he was charged down by Hakeem Odoffin, before Wright spurned an even bigger opportunity when he was unmarked from Ryan Hardie’s cross but headed off target.
Plymouth made the decisive breakthrough in the 32nd minute when Mumba poked in after a cross from Morgan Whittaker evaded Revan and found the full-back lurking unmarked at the back post. He cut in and managed to finish beyond Viktor Johansson’s grasp.
Argyle’s top-scorer Whittaker was becoming more influential early in the second half and he was close to doubling their lead with a driven effort from range. Rotherham had a decent opening when a deep corner from Sam Clucas ran all the way through to Cohen Bramall but the full-back’s effort was weak.
The hosts threatened again through Revan who cut in from the right flank and stung the palms of Michael Cooper, with the rebound just evading Tom Eaves. Argyle were still trying for a killer second goal and Johansson had to be alert to Hardie’s touch from Adam Randell’s delivery.
The substitute Adam Forshaw’s curling effort had Johansson temporarily worried but it was just off target. Plymouth should have secured the victory in the final minutes but Dan Scarr’s header was kept out, then Ben Waine’s effort cannoned off the post.
Waine was denied again by an onrushing Johansson when one-on-one but the margin at the end was just one goal.
Rotherham’s head coach Richardson, who has only won twice since replacing Matt Taylor in December, said: “That doesn’t represent me. I am not hiding away from anything, I am at the front of it and I take the full blame.
“I also take responsibility for making Rotherham United a better football club. The biggest positive is that we know about it and we know the areas where we need to get better. I have never shied away from a challenge.”
After a painful week at Home Park, Nancekivell has called for Plymouth to keep up the good work for the final five games of the season. He said: “I am relieved – it’s been a traumatic week and to come and get three points is massive for us.
“They are all huge games now. We know what we have got to do, recover and prepare properly and hopefully get a repeat performance. We are all in it together.”