Albion's Championship rivals Rotherham have been docked three points and plunged into relegation trouble for fielding an ineligible player against them.

A disciplinary commission has found the Millers guilty of using on-loan Derby defender Farrend Rawson in their 1-0 home win against the Seagulls on April 6.

A Football League statement said: "A Disciplinary Commission has ruled that Rotherham United are to be deducted three points, with immediate effect, for fielding an ineligible player (Farrend Rawson) in the club's Sky Bet Championship fixture with Brighton & Hove Albion on April 6.

"The Millers won the match 1-0 with Rawson playing for the full 90 minutes.

"Rotherham were also fined the sum of £30,000, half of which will be suspended until the end of the 2015/16 season. The club must also pay the costs of the hearing and The Football League.

"The club has until May 1 to lodge an appeal."

Rotherham's punishment gives renewed hope to Millwall and Wigan. Millwall are now only a point below them, although the South Yorkshiremen, managed by ex-Crawley boss Steve Evans, have a game in hand.

Wigan are a point further adrift.