For the third consecutive game the Rams went behind but for the first time they managed to turn pressure into goals as Callum Ball’s first league goal was one to remember as it won the match for Derby.

Derby County 2 vs. 1 Bristol City

Pride Park Stadium

Saturday December 10th

R. Madley

Crowd:

23,906 (747 Robins)

Teams:

The Rams:

Fielding, Green, Barker, Shackell, Roberts, Bailey (O'Brien 90’), Bryson, Hendrick, B Davies (Bennett 71’), Ward, Priskin (Ball 46’).

Unused Substitutes: Legzdins, Buxton.

Goals: Bryson (64’), Ball (73’)

The Robins:

James, Fontaine, Elliott, Kilkenny (Campbell-Ryce 90’), Maynard, Woolford, Skuse, Wilson, Cisse (Pitman 69’), Adomah, McGivern (Nyatanga 48’).

Unused Substitutes: Gerken, Bolasie.

Yellow Cards: Elliott, McGivern

Goals: Woolford (56’)

Match Stats: Rams - Robins

Possession: 50% - 50%

Shots On Target: 3 - 5

Shots Off Target: 5 - 7

Corners: 0 - 6

Fouls: 16 - 15

Most Fouls: Davies (4) - Elliott (4)

Match Summary:

Rams fans had not seen their team win or for that matter score at home since late in October; the visit of lowly Bristol whose recent form belied their place on the table was definitely no gimme game.

The first half showed nothing of the spirited second half display at Palace last Friday and instead was a dour affair during which the Rams looked like they could play for months without any hope of troubling Robin’s keeper David James.

Bristol was only slightly better than Derby and at least did make Frank Fielding earn his match fee after being called on to make a couple of saves in the opening 45 minutes. Albert Adomah's low drive and Nicky Maynard's long range screamer were both saved well by the Rams keeper.

The Pride Park faithful would have welcomed the half time whistle as their team looked set to once again deliver a dour home performance.

Bristol came out after the break with more intent and finally got on the scoresheet which was no more than they deserved with a superior work rate and intent.

In the 56th minute Adomah produced a fabulous pass that sliced through the Derby defence and Woolford was on hand to make the most of it as he produced a low finish that squeezed below the falling Fielding.

As was the case in recent matches it took a goal for their opposition to bring the Rams out of their shell as only 8 minutes later they levelled up the score. Derby had not scored at home in nearly 6 full hours of football and it took two of the Rams hardest working players in Bryson and Ward to stand up and deliver it.

Jamie Ward had been by far the most dangerous player on the pitch in white and as he once again went on one of his attacking runs, he found a way into the penalty area and produced an inch perfect cut back from the by-line for Craig Bryson to tap in.

In recent weeks fans could have easily expected their team to press but not break their opposition as they searched for a goal but instead in the 73rd minute the comeback was complete.

Callum Ball had been impressing as a substitute in recent weeks and will have done his claims for a starting position no harm when he ran onto a pass from Paul Green without breaking stride and put it below James.

McInnes could have levelled things for the Robins but his clever back-heel went agonisingly wide of the post.

Instead the Rams took all of the points and continued to turn their poor run around.

Nigel Clough will be hoping that his team have left behind the dismal run that threatened to derail their season and they can once again scale the heights of the league table.

Manager’s Reaction:

Nigel Clough was pleased his team finally completed a come back:

"Ironically today was probably our poorest performance in the last few weeks. I think we deserved the win though, especially for the character and effort the players showed after going 1-0 down.”

"We have an awful lot of belief in this group of players and we feel we have better characters in the dressing room this season, and it is at times like this when that is put to the test.”

"Today we were tested. We went a goal down against the run of play and the players showed the reaction we expected and Craig Bryson's equaliser, after great play by Jamie Ward, was thoroughly deserved.”

"We don't think it has been a run where we've been terrible for five or six matches as we could have recorded points from any of the games we lost, apart from the home game against Cardiff City.”

"How big this win today will be, only time will tell. It is horrible being on a losing streak and the next time we lose a game, which we inevitably will in the Championship, we're going to try and nip it in the bud straight away and avoid a run of defeats like we've experienced of late."

"When injuries hit us up front there was a real clamour for a loan striker a few weeks ago. But we knew we had Callum Ball and Mason Bennett for that matter, waiting in the wings. Had we got a few more points on the board we would have gone with them from the start.”

"It was great to see the ball hit the net. At first we thought it had gone over the bar because David James got a touch to it, but we're delighted for Callum and hopefully it is the first of many for him.”

"He's been making an impact coming off the bench in recent weeks it's great for him that he scored the winning goal today."

Next Match:

 Ipswich Town vs. Derby County

3pm – Saturday November 17th

Photo: Action Images

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