Damned Still Can't Beat Rams As Record Falls & Brighton Await!
Saturday, 3rd May 2014 15:19 by Daniel J Sewart

The Rams still unbeaten by Leeds since 2005, the clubs biggest end of season points tally and secure in 3rd place, ready to meet Brighton in the Play-offs. What a day, what a season… and the real ride has just begun.

Steve McClaren chose to rest some of his stars with Sammon, Hughes, Bamford, Dawkins and Whitbread starting in the place of Martin, Bryson, Russell, Ward and Buxton.

Despite not being The Rams best starting 11 - the B-team looked like a bunch of players determined to put up their hands for play-off action in the opening minutes.

One player who will be hoping he can force his way into the starting squad, Simon Dawkins, did his hopes no harm when he put the Rams ahead in the first half on 6 minutes, and during what was a bright start for Derby, it looked as if they may cruise to an easy victory.

But as time passed, a combination of Leeds players kicking The Rams, as many times as the referee forgot to blow his whistle, things tightened up and playing football was made difficult.

In the second half Leeds equalised through Smith on 50 minutes and it looked as if the Rams could be heading for a final day defeat with the home team looking more like scoring.

Both sides had chances to snatch the win but it was a scrappy affair that deserved little more, as neither side did enough to deserve the spoils.

A draw meant Derby passed the clubs highest ever points tally in a League campaign. Having reached 84 points three times in the past, accumulating 85 points is just another stunning highlight of what has been an already amazing season.

Coupled with the most goals scored, 84 in total, a team that faltered early in the season has transformed themselves into one of the best teams in the Championship.

Match reporter I.Saw travelled to Elland Road for RamZone and will give us a full wrap up of one of Derby’s most celebrated away draws tomorrow, plus all the stats, reaction and more.

Elsewhere, Brighton found themselves back in the playoff positions after defeating Forest (another final day gift for us!), meaning they will play hosts to The Rams on Thursday night for the first leg of Semi Finals.

In the meantime enjoy the nervous energy that will be coursing through your veins - because the real work for The Rams is about to begin!

COYR!!

Match Stats: Dirty / Rams:

Possession: 42% / 582%

Corners: 5 / 3

Shots (On Target): 28 (9) / 14 (7)

Fouls: 12 / 13

Yellow Cards: 1 - Not Enough / 1

Match Info:

Referee: James Linington (legally blind)

Attendance: 29,724

Derby: Grant (GK); Wisdom, Keogh, Whitbread, Forsyth; Eustace, Hendrick (Bryson 90'), Hughes; Bamford (Russell 90'), Dawkins (Bennett 78'), Sammon.

Unused Subs: Legzdins (GK), Naylor, Buxton, Thorne.

Goals: Dawkins (6’)

Leeds: Butland (GK), Lees, Pearce, Wootton, Pugh, Tonge, Brown, Austin, Murphy (White 45'), McCormack, Smith.

Unused Subs: Cairns (GK), Poleon, Walters, Dawson, Thompson, Hunt.

Goals: Smith (60’)