Rams Claim Point

Derby County broke their recent poor run of results after drawing 1-1 with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park but it could and probably should have been more. The Rams dominated possession for long spells in the firsthalf but found themselves behind when Chris Martin`s effort deflected off Shaun Barker on fifteen minutes to put Palace ahead. Julian Speroni was rarely tested in the firsthalf and Derby came out with more purpose in the second half. As the pressure built Paddy McCarthy turned a Paul Green effort into his own net with fifteen minutes to go and chances for Mason Bennett, Tamas Priskin and Green saw The Rams nearly take all three points but the draw ended a run of five consecutive defeats in front of the SkySports camera`s.

Nigel Clough named an unchanged side from the midweek defeat to Brighton and Frank Fielding was called into action inside the first minute to keep out Glenn Murray`s low effort after being played in by Darren Ambrose and the help of a lucky bounce. Derby responded well and dominated possession without forcing Julian Speroni to make a save and they found themselves behind after fifteen minutes when Chris Martin`s shot took a deflection off Shaun Barker and flew past Fielding.

Speroni gathered a low freekick from Ben Davies that only needed a touch and Jeff Hendrick sliced a left-footed effort wide from the edge of the area as Palace defended in numbers to keep them out. The Rams continued to keep hold of the ball and Jamie Ward and Ben Davies both had long range efforts wide of the mark as halftime approached. Darren Ambrose tested Fielding from twenty-five yards but Derby`s keeper was equal to the final effort of the half.

Derby continued to dominate possession after the break and Paddy McCarthy made a good block on Craig Bryson`s goalbound effort to deflect the ball wide of the target. The Rams forced a series of corners as they increased the pressure but only had two half chances from Tamas Priskin headers to show for their efforts. Nigel Clough decided it was time to make some changes and introduced Mason Bennett and Callum Ball in place of Ben Davies and James Bailey in quick succession. With fifteen minutes to go Derby get the breakthrough they deserved when Priskin found Paul Green down the right and his inviting centre was turned into his own net by McCarthy under pressure from Ball.

The Rams continued to push forward in search of a winner and Bennett unselfishly setup Priskin but the Hungarian was denied by Speroni and the youngster missed his kick with a spectacular effort as the ball deflected into the air. Hendrick had an effort from the edge of the area deflected wide and Green forced a low save from the Palace keeper as he broke into the are in the closing stages but with Palace looking to catch them on the break Derby had to stand firm at the back and they saw out the closing stages to claim a point.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Parr, McCarthy, Ambrose, Garvan, Jedinak, Murray, Andrew (Pedroza 82), Martin (Zaha 71), Keinan, Ramage.

Subs Not Used: Price, Clyne, Iversen.

Derby County: Fielding, Green, Barker, Shackell, Roberts, Bryson, Hendrick, Bailey (Ball 71), B Davies (Bennett 64), Ward, Priskin (O'Brien 90).

Subs Not Used: Legzdins, Buxton.

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