The Rams 2-0 defeat at Burnley could have been a lot different, after decisions by the referee, hampered their chances of getting a result while leaving them five points adrift of second place.

It was my first time at Turf Moor and it definitely makes you appreciate the luxuries of our home matches at the iPro.

When I was finally able to get a strong enough signal on my phone, the team news wasn’t too surprising. Dawkins had impressed when he came on last week and thus he started ahead of Patrick Bamford. Both Jamie Ward and Craig Bryson were only fit enough for the bench, which because of their presence alongside the likes of Sammon & Bamford, had a very strong look about it.

It has been widely documented how unfortunate Chris Martin was with the sending off. Things could have been much different had he stayed on and / or the goal had been allowed to stand. The impact from that one decision, in such a crucial fixture, could have far reaching effects on the Rams’ season.

Yes, Martin was extremely unfortunate and very hard done by but he does have a tendency to back into players, go down easily and look for fouls — maybe a reputation for one or all of those things cost him yesterday.

Recently the ex-Canary has been a shadow of his early season form; nevertheless the striker’s goal record is something nobody can argue with. In the past couple of games Conor Sammon has offered more in open play when he’s emerged from the bench, but, of course, still not as much as Martin in front of goal.

Watching The Football League Show, it was the first time I was exposed to me the incidents leading up to the sending off in more detail. It was verging on highly suspicious, mainly because of other incidents that went unpunished, that’s for sure.

Martin came and sat on a seat (plastic, unlike the wooden one I paid for!) amongst the away fans, along with the substituted Johnny Russell and Mason Bennett. Reeling from the straight red, he looked extremely disappointed but soon after, he was spotted by supporters looking for a photo opportunity.

In the first-half, Derby was on the back foot. Retention of possession was poor and at times, it just seemed like the visitors couldn’t clear their lines at all.

With ten men in the second 45 the Rams looked like a different outfit, playing some neat football and coming close to equalising on a few occasions. Based on that second-half, without mentioning the referee’s decisions again, Derby deserved to go home with something.

The Clarets are a really organised side that have some very good ball winners in midfield and a solid backline, especially considering prior to the beginning of the season, I (and pretty much everyone else) didn’t even consider Sean Dyche’s team to be contenders.

David Jones’s goal for the home side was tremendous. Andre Wisdom isn’t exactly at fault but it must be said that he could have got up quicker to try and stop Michael Knightly making the pass to Jones.

Burnley got fortunate with a deflection for their second goal but Derby did always look vulnerable as their ten men pressed for an equaliser. Taking the positives, McClaren can definitely be pleased with the second-half effort.

Luck was not with the Rams but it’s time to move on as looking ahead at the fixtures, March is a tough month — potentially a season-defining month.

Forest and trips to Reading and Ipswich stand out as difficult matches with relegation contenders Millwall making the trip to Derby this Saturday.

Ian Holloway took over as Lions manager in January but with only 1 victory, 3 draws and 5 losses since taking charge, it may be a chance for the Rams to bounce back quickly and show that the race for second place isn’t over just yet.

COYR!!

For more of Nathan's articles you can read his blog at www.derbycountyfan.com and follow him @NathansRamsBlog on Twitter.

Photo: Action Images

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