It shows you can’t get carried away, Rams fans had blood in their nostrils expecting a win over their out of form visitors, instead chances are missed and the Rams suspect defence nodded off at a critical time, which in the end cost Derby the win.

It’s funny how a draw can feel a bit like a loss when you are in good form and can’t turn over an opponent who is there for the taking. Chances went begging throughout the match as Ward, Martin, Bryson, Bennett and Sammon all missed opportunities that on other days would have been buried as part of a resounding win.

Ward scored the Rams goal on 38 and when the Rams went in 1-0 up, Derby were dominant but as is always the way, worries that it should have been 2 or 3 abounded.

The worries were justified as Birmingham bounced out in the second and pressured the Rams as they played 9 behind the ball and squeezed the football out of the home team.

The Blues goal eventually came through Novak on 66 and by the time the Rams found their stride again, the win seemed to be slipping away and defeat may have been on the cards.

To their credit Derby bounced back and attacked searching for the win, throwing on Sammon, Bennett and Jacobs in the closing stages.

Bennett, Ward and Sammon all could have won the game for the Rams with gettable chances but unfortunately it was not to be as the ball refused to go in the net.

In the wash up, many fans were verbally bashing last weeks hero into this weeks zero, as Conor Sammon was sliced and diced for two late misses, in particular a header from close range.

Maybe the super fish should have scored but if you are going to crucify Conor then you better crucify about 5 of his team mates who also should have scored over the course of the game, including Jamie Ward who missed a sitter in the opening minutes.

Unfortunately for Sammon he finds a way to miss too often and because of his million plus price tag, will always be expected to do better and probably rightly so.

I find it hard to blame any other players than those at the back, as frankly the points were shared because once again the usual suspects went to sleep and conceded. The central defenders in particular drifted off a few times and Derby could have come away with nothing, if the visitors finishing had not been off on a couple of occasions.

But let’s focus on some positives as we didn’t lose and the point earned continues the Rams unbeaten run of no defeats in four.

Dawkins showed flashes of what he may be capable of, especially a great run that set up the goal while Andre Wisdom was handed ‘man of the match’ and looked like a player who could play a big part in pulling the Rams shaky defence up by the scruff of the neck.

On a day when a point felt a little like none — there were definite positives as Steve McClaren and his team work to take a good team and make them into a great team.

RamZone match reporter Ryan Weston was at Pride Park and will present his report, player ratings and a full round up of the stats and reaction on Monday morning.

Check back then for full analysis of Saturdays clash.

Goals: Ward (Derby) 38', Novak (Birm) 66'.

Derby County: Grant (GK), Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Eustace, Bryson, Hughes (Jacobs 86’), Ward, Dawkins (Bennett 66’), Martin (Sammon 60’).

Unused Subs: Morch (GK), Freeman, Smith, Ball.

Birmingham City: Randolph (GK); Caddis, Burn, Robinson, Murphy; Reilly, Elliott; Burke (Gray 36’), Shinnie (Novak 66’), Ferguson (Adeyemi 88'); Zigic.

Unused Subs: Doyle (GK), Bartley, Lovenkrands, Lee.

Photo: Action Images

Derby County Polls