Robinson Earns A Point

Theo Robinson`s late goal earned Derby County a point as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers at Pride Park. In a tight first half the visitors had the better of the play and took the lead with just over ten minutes to go until the break when they won the ball back when it should have been cleared and some neat build-up play ended with Jordan Rhodes firing home a low volley from the edge of the area. After an early scare at the start of the second period The Rams slowly got on the front foot and came close through Jake Buxton, Michael Jacobs and Nathan Tyson. With two minutes to go Paul Robinson pulled off a superb reaction save to deny Craig Bryson but Theo Robinson was there to fire back across goal and the former England keeper could only turn the ball into the net to ensure a share of the points.

In a tight opening neither side looked threatening until Conor Sammon picked out Theo Robinson with an inviting cross on twenty minutes but the former Millwall striker could only sidefoot a tame effort wide of the far post. At the other end Adam Legzdins pulled off a sharp reflex shave to deny Scott Dann when he met a Morten Gamst Pedersen freekick with a firm header. As the game opened up a little Jake Buxton had a header turned behind by Paul Robinson and Robinson flicked a header just over from the resulting corner. Legzdins saved another Pedersen freekick at full length and Blackburn took the lead on thirty-four minutes when Sammon didn`t get the ball clear and some neat build up play ended with Jordan Rhodes drilling a low volley into the bottom corner to put his side ahead at the break.

The visitors started strongly after the break and Pedersen fired a shot narrowly wide less than a minute into the half when he found room in the area. The Rams were soon on the front foot themselves but Craig Bryson turned a Jeff Hendrick cross over the top and then hit another effort over the bar when Will Hughes won the ball back twenty yards from goal. Paul Coutts was net to threaten when he created a yard of space on the edge of the area but he curled his effort onto the roof of the net.


Dann flashed an effort just wide in a rare moment when Blackburn threatened Legzdins` goal and Buxton headed wide from a corner at the other end as Derby looked for the equaliser. Michael Jacobs` set piece dropped wide of the mark and fellow substitute Nathan Tyson forced a reaction save from Robinson to keep his side in the lead but with two minutes to go The Rams found an equaliser. Jacobs` low cross from the left was met by Bryson but Robinson pulled off a superb reflex save, the ball came loose to Robinson however and he fired in a low shot that went in off the former England keeper to earn his side a point.

Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, Buxton, O`Connor (Tyson 83); Coutts, Hendrick, Bryson, Hughes; Robinson, Sammon (Jacobs 75).

Subs Not Used: Deeney, Freeman, Bennett, Gjokaj, O`Brien.

Blackburn Rovers: Robinson; Orr, Givet, Dann, Olsson; Lowe, Dunn (Formica 67), Etuhu, Pedersen; Kazim-Richards, Rhodes.

Subs Not Used: Kean (GK), Murphy, Gomes, Rochina, Hanley, Ribeiro.

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