Three second half goals saw Town come from behind to deservedly beat Rotherham at Millmoor. Chris Sedgwick had put the home side in front in the first half but a stunning 25-yard volley from Jermaine Wright and late goals from Darren Bent and Shefki Kuqi wrapped up three vital points for the Blues.
Boss Joe Royle sprung a couple of surprises with his starting line-up, recalling Drissa Diallo at right-back and leaving Fabian Wilnis on the bench, the Dutchman still awaiting his 200th appearance for Town.
Diallo was presumably included to counteract Rotherham's aerial threat which all but ended the Blues' play-off hopes last season when they lost 2-1 in the corresponding fixure.
John McGreal, not expected to travel to South Yorkshire due to his twisted ankle, returned at central defence, Georges Santos dropping to the bench.
On-loan Rotherham midfielder Jody Morris had the first opportunity of the game, The Leeds man putting a 25-yard freekick high and wide. Soon after, Michael Proctor stabbed a Chris Sedgwick cross wide from close in.
In the 12th minute Town caused the first serious danger in the Millers' box, when a fine move ended with Tommy Miller sending the ball across the penalty area but too far in front of Dean Bowditch.
Sedgwick wasn't too far from testing Kelvin Davis with a shot from inside the area, only for team-mate Michael Proctor to block his strike.
The home side were playing the better football on a very bumpy pitch which led to bobbles galore. On 24 Tommy Miller failed to test Mike Pollitt with a rare Town shot, from the edge of the Rotherham box. Soon after Ian Westlake got his name in the book for a foul on Sedgwick.
The Millers' midfielder had looked as if he'd never walk again after Westlake's challenge, but miraculously he got back on his feet and soon after put his team ahead. The right-sided player picked up the ball on the touchline and brought the ball into the area unchallenged by four defenders before hitting a low shot past Kelvin Davis at his near post.
It was a dismally poor goal to concede but one which was probably deserved on the balance of play. Town had hardly got going, with the expected aerial onslaught not materialising, the home side surprisingly playing a passing game.
On the half hour, Tommy Miller struck a shot which was deflected wide of Pollitt's post. Five minutes later a poor Matt Elliott header fell to John Mullin in the Town area but his effort was easy for Davis.
With five minutes remaining before the break, Elliott headed over at the other end after the home defence had failed to deal with a Magilton freekick sent in from the left.
It had been a disappointing half from the Blues and as they left the field there were a smattering of boos throughout the away section, behind the goal Town had been defending.
Diallo's introduction at full-back hadn't worked, his aerial ability hardly required, while Fabian Wilnis's attacking endeavours — and legal throw-ins - were sorely missed. It was little surprise that the Guinean international was withdrawn at the break, Martijn Reuser coming with Jermaine Wright moving to full-back.
Reuser took on a largely attacking role on the left with Ian Westlake moving inside. Shefki Kuqi added some steel to Town's attack, Dean Bowditch making way.
The second half would be a completely different story, the Blue dominating virtually from start to finish, although Sedgwick hit a shot over the bar after a corner was half-cleared soon after the restart.
Reuser immediately got into the action quickly forcing Pollitt to pull off a save close to his right-hand post.
Soon after, Jim Magilton had a shot blocked before the Millers almost went two-up via a Martin Butler header, Kelvin Davis brilliantly tipping the former Cambridge man's close range attempt over the bar. From the resultant corner former Blue Chris Swailes headed a decent opportunity wide.
Martijn Reuser had the chance of a trademark 25-yard freekick goal in the 56th minute, Jim Magilton having been fouled by Jody Morris. Unusually, the Dutchman sent his kick well over the bar.
Rotherham again went close to a second goal on the hour, when Michael Proctor caught John McGreal in possession halfway inside the Town half. The ex-Sunderland man brought the ball forward before unleashing a shot which cannoned off Kelvin Davis's right post.
A minute later John Mullin picked up a yellow card for a foul on Ian Westlake, the Town crowd ironically cheering the caution due to referee David Pugh reluctance to give a decision Town's way during much of the game.
On 64 Matt Elliott couldn't get enough on a deep Martijn Reuser corner from the Town left, Chris Swailes clearing.
Three minutes later the Blues were back on terms, with what is probably the best goal scored by a Town player this season. Matt Richards crossed from the left to a few yards outside the Rotherham box and Jermaine Wright caught it first time with his right foot, sending a screamer beyond Pollitt and into the top left-hand corner of his net.
It was a stunning goal and just what Town needed as the game moved towards the last 20 minutes or so, and well-deserved on the second half display.
Shefki Kuqi almost created a second goal within three minutes of Wright's goal. The Finnish international seized on a Swailes error, took the ball down the right and into the area before crossing towards Darren Bent. The youngster appeared to be unsighted as the ball struck him and was cleared by a defender.
A minute later Jim Magilton hit a low freekick a couple of feet wide of Pollitt's right post. With six minutes of the game remaining, Wright tried to reprise his earlier goal, this time hitting a 25 yarder from the right which dipped but went just over the bar.
Town eventually went ahead with two minutes left on the clock, Martijn Reuser playing in Darren Bent to the right of goal and the Blues' top scorer slipping the ball past Pollitt, his seventh goal in the last six games.
Rotherham almost came straight back, Martin Butler turning a shooting from just inside the area and watching the ball come back off Davis's post for the second time in the game.
But the Blues were not to be denied, and added to their goals in injury time. Georges Santos had replaced Jim Magilton when Darren Bent flicked on a ball forward on the left, Kuqi taking the ball on before sliding it past Pollitt.
The Finnish international celebrated long and hard, cupping an ear to Rotherham fans who had booed him with every touch after he had required treatment early in the half after being caught in the face by a Chris Swailes elbow.
The final whistle went within seconds of the restart and the Town players came to celebrate in front of their fans. Shefki Kuqi and Jermaine Wright were particularly notable in their defiant gestures, Wright getting particular adulation from his team-mates after what must be the best goal he has scored during his career.
An excellent second half display on a difficult surface after a first period where Town had looked very much off-key. The tactical switch to take account of Rotherham's long-ball approach had clearly upset Town's own rhythm.
Three more vital points and up to fifth in the table. A victory on Monday against fellow promotion hopefuls Sunderland would go a long way to helping seal a position in the top six.
Town: Davis, Diallo (Reuser 46), Richards, McGreal, Elliott, Magilton (Santos 90), Miller, Wright, Westlake, Bent, Bowditch (Kuqi 46)