Rotherham boss Steve Evans was left fuming on the sidelines after his relegation-threatened side were denied a penalty in their narrow Sky Bet Championship defeat at Birmingham. The hosts had led through first-half goals by Robert Tesche and Clayton Donaldson, before Matt Derbyshire pulled one back for fourth-bottom Rotherham. However, Rob Kiernan's clumsy handling of Derbyshire near the hour mark saw the former City forward go down in the box only for referee Dean Whitestone to wave away appeals for a spot-kick, leaving the Millers boss visibly enraged as the home side held out. Robert Tesche of Birmingham City celebrates scoring the opening goal of the game . Tesche (centre) finished low to put Birmingham City ahead against Rotherham at St Andrews . Birmingham: Randolph, Caddis, Morrison, Kiernan, Grounds, Tesche, Gleeson, Cotterill, Shinnie (Davis 82'), Gray (Dyer 67'), Donaldson . Subs not used: Fabbrini, Robinson, Thomas, Novak, Doyle . Booked: Shinnie, Grounds . Goals: Tesche 27' Donaldson 43' Rotherham: Martinez, Hunt, Morgan, Broadfoot, Lafferty, Wilson (Bowery 52'), Frecklington, Smallwood (Yates 85'), Pringle, Sammon (Newton 63'), Derbyshire . Subs not used: Green, Milsom, Collin, Rowe . Booked: Broadfoot, Morgan . Goals: Derbyshire 48' Referee: Dean Whitestone . Attendance: 16,569 . Andrew Shinnie was unfortunate to be flagged offside from Donaldson's early flick-on while winger Demarai Gray's ball into the box from the left was dangerous but fruitless. David Cotterill forced a good low save from Emiliano Martinez with a drive from just outside the area in the 19th minute as Gary Rowett's side continued to press. The deadlock was broken in the 27th minute with a well-worked but uncomplicated attack. Tesche found space just outside the box and after a one-two with Donaldson, side-footed coolly into the bottom-right corner to leave Martinez with no chance. Shinnie headed Cotterill's excellent cross over in the 38th minute after Donaldson's slight touch beforehand slightly changed the flight of the ball but eventually the second did come two minutes before the break. Cotterill hit a free-kick from distance with trademark power and accuracy and when Martinez palmed it back into play, rather than for a corner, Donaldson pounced with an easy diving header. Kirk Broadfoot of Rotherham United puts Clayton Donaldson of Birmingham City in a headlock . Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett watches the action from the sidelines of the Championship clash . Birmingham City's David Cotterill holds off challenge from Rotherham United's Ben Pringle (right) Donaldson fired a decent effort over on the turn as Blues sensed blood before the half was over. Rotherham gained a foothold less than three minutes into the second half, however. Slack defensive play left City goalkeeper Darren Randolph in bother and when he only palmed Lee Frecklington's shot to Derbyshire, the deficit was halved as the striker tapped home with ease. Frecklington then had a chance saved as Randolph kept out a deflected effort, while Martinez reacted quickly as Donaldson broke through at the other end. Colourful Millers boss Evans was incandescent with rage on the hour mark when his side were denied a penalty, with Derbyshire bearing down on goal only to go down when tangling with home defender Kiernan as the centre-half looked to atone for an error seconds earlier. Derbyshire was not far off with a 76th-minute header, while Donaldson and substitute Lloyd Dyer both came agonisingly close at point-blank range and Tesche twice fired straight at Martinez as the home side missed numerous chances to make the win more comfortable.
Robert Tesche and Clayton Donaldson struck in first half for Birmingham.
Matt Derbyshire pulled one back after the interval for Rotherham.
Rotherham boss Steve Evans left fuming after being denied a penalty.