Pablo Mills and Derek Holmes returned to the starting line up for the game against Accrington Stanley as the Millers looked to get back to winning ways.
A first minute Ian Ross free kick brought no reward before Ryan Taylor hit a 20 yarder over the bar while a Stanley free kick went through to Andy Warrington.
Another Ross free kick was headed out before Joe Widdowson was booked in the ninth minute but the resulting free kick was knocked out for a corner from which Craney's cross flashed in front of goal.
Yet another Ross free kick was caught by the keeper and on 17 minutes a long kick from Warrington was headed on by Holmes for Taylor to shoot wide.
Most of the play was taking part in the Stanley half and Taylor got beyond the keeper who had come well out of his area but he lacked the support needed to create an opening.
Then another long ball from Warrington was again headed down by Holmes to Taylor who this time shot wide before Roberts almost headed the ball into his own net with keeper Arthur turning the ball out for a corner.
A good run from Mills ended with him shooting over the bar then Taylor set up a chance for O'Grady who fired wide and on 39 minutes the first shot on target saw Taylor's effort saved.
Just before half time a Sharps header was saved following a corner and in the first minute of the second period a free kick near the corner flag was headed out by the Stanley defence.
A quick break by Accrington saw Joseph clear off the line from Mullin but back came the Millers again with Ross winning a corner that again brought no reward. The standard of play was well below the usual from the Millers as they struggled to make any impact and they were rocked on 64 minutes when Craney opened the scoring with a superb shot into the top corner of the net from 25 yards.
O'Grady had a shot saved as did Taylor after Mills and Sharps had headed on a Ross free kick but United were struggling to make any impact on the game and they didn't really look like levelling matters.
Just before the final whistle Widdowson saw his 30 yarder saved and a stoppage time corner again brought no reward against the stubborn visiting defence as the game ended in huge disappointment.
Rotherham: Warrington; Joseph, Sharps, Coughlan, Widdowson; Harrison, Mills (Greene 82), Ross; O'Grady, D. Holmes (Newsham 68), Taylor. Subs: O'Donnell, Hudson, Tonge.
Accrington: Arthur; Edwards, Kempson, Roberts, Thomas; Richardson, Craney, Mannix, Harris (Proctor 80); Mullin, Mangan (Whaley 65). Subs: Dunbavin, Webb, McGivern.
Referee: Steve Cook (Surrey).
Attendance: 3,683 (105 away).
