Leaders Brighton too strong for Rotherham as Tomer Hemed scores again
Table-topping Brighton produced their sixth win in seven league games with a goal in each half from Tomer Hemed and Dale Stephens sinking rock-bottom Rotherham 201 at the Amex Stadium.
Substitute Jonson Clarke-Harris pulled a late goal back for the Millers who have now lost five of their seven matches in the Championship.
The Seagulls, who survived six minutes of added time, were good value for their victory before a crowd of 21,397.
Brighton boss Chris Hughton recalled former Sheffield United midfielder Jamie Murphy for the suspended Kazenga LuaLua and he just failed to get on the end of a dangerous cross by Bruno in only the third minute.
The Seagulls started well and Israel international midfielder Beram Kayal put a near post header wide from a corner by Stephens.
Murphy shot wide of keeper Lee Camp's right-hand post before striker Sam Baldock tried his luck with an angled shot which flew narrowly over, after Rotherham switched off following a quick throw in.
Defender Lewis Buxton came to the Millers' rescue with an important clearance after Bruno crossed dangerously to the far post on being set up by Stephens.
Murphy was just off target midway through the half with a left-foot shot which flew wide after Stephens put him clear.
Brighton broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when Israel international striker Hemed hit his fifth goal of the season from close range.
A pinpoint cross from Murphy set Hemed up inside the six-yard area and his left-footed finish went in off the underside of the bar.
Camp dived full length to parry a goalbound shot from Solly March as the hosts continued to dominate.
Hemed finished the half strongly and, after having a header saved by Camp, he put an acrobatic effort over after more good work from Murphy.
A mistake by German defender Uwe Huenemeier gave Millers midfielder Chris Maguire a clear sight of goal just after the break, but he wastefully put the ball over left-footed.
Rotherham were at last seeking to get further up the field with striker Danny Ward having come on in place of Aidan White.
But their chances of taking something from the game received a huge blow when Stephens doubled Albions lead after 67 minutes.
The former Charlton man found the bottom left-hand corner with a first-time shot from 20 yards following a surging run by Gaetan Bong.
Substitute Clarke-Harris promptly reduced the deficit four minutes later by heading in a Maguire free-kick.
Brighton, ever a threat in front of goal, threatened when Bruno had a 25-yard drive tipped over by Camp before the Millers keeper held an effort from substitute Bobby Zamora.
Source: PA
