MANSFIELD Town were all but relegated amid violent scenes off the field at Field Mill this afternoon.
Club owner Keith Haslam was assaulted after the match as a pitch invasion was followed by angry fans storming the boardroom and police are now investigating.
It was a shameful end to a torturous afternoon that will long live in the memory.
Early in the second half Stags looked like going into the last day of the season as favourites to stay up as they were locked at 0-0 with scores elsewhere going for them.
But it all swung dramatically as Mansfield were undone by a freak 40 yard goal by Millers' sub Jamie Yates and then relegation rivals Dagenham incredibly came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Darlington.
Notts County also won to make themselves safe and Stags now cling to the faint hope that both Stockport and Macclesfield can beat Chester or it is Conference football next season after 77 years in the Football League.
- Mansfield Town captain Buxton clings to slim hope
Rotherham know a thing or two about ownership problems and Stags' Yorkshire rivals, currently in administration and possibly about to go out of business, brought almost 1,000 fans with 10 of them walking from Millmoor to raise money and profile for their cash-strapped club.
After winning the first leg of the Great Escape against Shrewsbury last week, hopes were high of more success, despite defensive problems.
- Click on the green play icon to watch a video slideshow of match action photos by Chad's Angela Ward
Stags were dealt a pre-match blow when central defender John-Baptiste failed a fitness test on an ankle injury.
At least that left manager Paul Holland with one less decision to make as skipper Buxton went straight back into the side after suspension.
Jelleyman also returned from injury to left back, Briggs moving across to right back and Wood dropping to the bench.
John Mullins, who was included in the side despite being far from fit with an ankle injury, picked up two of the three pre-match Player of the Year awards, from the Chad and the Stags' Supporters' Association with Mickey Boulding landing the Ollerton SSC.
The crowd sang along with the Great Escape theme tune before the team emerged to a huge cheer in a carnival atmosphere. How that was to change by the end.
Cahill caused early problems down the Mansfield left as first Mullins had to slide in to tackle him in full flight, and soon after he drilled a low cross-cum-shot to the near post where White blocked the danger with an outstretched leg.
Boulding had his first run at the visiting defence but was halted by a solid Mills tackle.
Boulding was furious when two challenges from behind on him went unpunished. Then he was unable to get near a Louis ball across the face of goal at the back post.
The Millers won a free kick to the left of the home box in a promising position but D'Laryea thankfully headed away.
A Taylor forearm across the face left Mullins needing treatment and he had to leave the field to change his bloodied-shirt. But the inspirational defender bravely battled his way through to the end of 90 minutes, despite hobbling and wincing much of the time due to the injury that almost kept him out.
Boulding almost manufactured a way through on 13 minutes as he managed a swift one-two with Louis on the edge of the box and got away a low shot which Warrington turned aside.
United then almost grabbed the lead five minutes later as Cahill came inside from the left, beat Mullins, and produced a fierce low shot that White did well to block.
Still the danger wasn't clear and Dawson got a block in on a Holmes shot before Harrison finally fired the loose ball wide of goal.
Briggs' ball inside put D'Laryea into plenty of space only for the midfielder to drag a poor shot wide.
There was more danger for Stags on 25 minutes as Buxton's headed clearance only reached Holmes 20 yards from goal and he wasn't far wide of the top left hand corner with his finish.
Millers striker Cahill received two 'final warnings' for persistent fouling before a shove in the back on Mullins finally earned him his inevitable yellow card.
Boulding got goalside of his marker from a Hamshaw throw and crossed early and low but Arnold did not react quickly enough and the moment was gone.
Boulding was wide with a 20 yard snapshot after Louis had chested the ball down to him on 37 minutes. Then Briggs was high and wide from further out as he struck a loose ball first time.
Taylor, who had also been warned about his fouling, committed one too many against Briggs and was booked.
Arnold forced Warrington into a good save at his near post with a hooked half volley on 41 minutes and, after Rotherham cleared a corner, they survived more pressure before Hamshaw blazed well over.
Boulding again swapped passes with Louis in the box and Coughlan had to slide in to prevent the 25-goal striker adding to his tally from six yards.
But a tense half ended without a goal.
The weary Mullins returned with his head bandaged for the second half.
Louis went on a thrilling early run as he strode past three opponents before being crowded out as he tried to get a shot away.
Boulding came inside from the right and, with Hamshaw making a decoy run outside him, drilled a low hard shot at Warrington.
Dawson was booked on 52 minutes for a needless late challenge on Green near halfway.
Hamshaw put over a good cross from the right which saw Louis appear to get a shove in the back from Joseph in the box but nothing was given.
Yates replaced Cahill for the visitors just before Arnold pulled a low shot well wide for the home side.
Stags continued to press and another fine cross from the right, this time by Briggs, was a few inches too high for Louis to reach.
Mullins failed to get much distance on a defensive header but Holmes curled the ball straight back into the arms of White.
Brown was thrown on for Louis on 67 minutes as news came through that Notts County had scored and down and out Dagenham had somehow pulled back to 2-2 against the 10 men of Darlington.
Brown went to play left wing and Arnold joined Boulding up front.
Tongue was well over from Holmes' touch back on 70 minutes as home fans held their breath.
Worse was to come as Dagenham took the lead at Darlington just before Stags fell behind to a freak goal – White's worst nightmare coming true.
Yates hooked the ball goal wards from over 40 yards from wide on the right touchline and it hung in the air before somehow eluding White's fingertips and dropping under the crossbar.
Boulding almost made an immediate reply but poked over a first time effort from Arnold's low cross. Then Briggs was just unable to reach Hamshaw's far post free kick.
It was almost unbearable as Stags chipped away at the visiting defence in vain and Boulding headed over at the far post from another Hamshaw cross.
Holmes tried to set up Hudson at the other end but his team mate's first time shot was too high.
Holmes was just over on 85 minutes as the away fans taunted the Stags supporters with 'You'll be down by five o'clock.'
Indeed, the visitors continued to look more likely to add to their tally as Holmes set up Hudson for a good shot that White did well to parry.
The agony went on as Hamshaw crossed in low from the right and Mullins turned the ball over from seven yards.
Amid incredible scenes, all 11 Stags players went forward for a free kick in stoppage time and almost got caught on the break.
But it mattered little as full time saw a season of home misery end in violence and anger.
It was almost unreal as players and stewards fought with supporters, some were needing treatment and women and youngsters were in tears.
Whatever the repercussions of the post-match rioting, the club's future now looks to lie in the Conference - however brave the words of Holland at the end - and it remains to be seen if Keith Haslam remains defiantly at the helm or now walks out the door (or even decides to close it).
STAGS: White , Mullins , Jelleyman , D'Laryea (Horlock 74), Hamshaw , Dawson , M. Boulding , Buxton , Arnold , Louis (Brown 67 ), Briggs . Subs: Muggleton, Martin, Wood.
ROTHERHAM: Warrington , Tongue , Harrison , Coughlan , Holmes , Hudson , Joseph , Taylor (Holmes ), Cahill (Yates 56 ), Green , Mills . Subs: Newsham, Oxley, Ross.
REFEREE: Iain Williamson of Berkshire.
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