Plymouth star forced off following horror clash of heads… and replacement carried off on stretcher after first touch

The struggling Millers made the long trip down to Devon hoping to close the gap to their opponents in the Championship table down to seven points.

Leam Richardson’s side got off to a good start and took the lead via Jamie Lindsay on 16 minutes.

Argyle’s afternoon then went from bad to worse when they lost top scorer Hardie after a nasty accidental clash of heads with Ayala.

Both players received lengthy treatment, with the forward coming out the worse for wear.

But Hardie, 26, had to be very carefully helped off the field by medical staff on 36 minutes.

Argyle boss Steven Schumacher turned to back-up striker Mustapha Bundu, bringing on the Sierra Leone ace for Hardie.

His outing was cruelly cut short barely after it had gotten going, when he was scythed down by Odoffin immediately after his first touch.

But Hardie, 26, had to be very carefully helped off the field by medical staff on 36 minutes.

Argyle boss Steven Schumacher turned to back-up striker Mustapha Bundu, bringing on the Sierra Leone ace for Hardie.

His outing was cruelly cut short barely after it had gotten going, when he was scythed down by Odoffin immediately after his first touch.

Ten-man Rotherham found an equaliser on 77 minutes when substitute Tom Eaves headed Plymouth-born Sean Morrison’s knock down to send the travelling fans wild.

There would be one final twist, however, with player of the match Azaz brilliantly teeing up Morgan Whittaker to score a 96th minute, sending the Argyle faithful into dreamland.