How apt that on St Patrick’s Day, it would be Bamford who would deal what might well be a killer blow to the Rams’ automatic promotion hopes.

You could just see it coming. All is well and good in hindsight but you could just tell. A tight, cagey game, to be decided with one bit of class from him.

Not that it was that straightforward. The Rams, still hindered by a catalogue of injuries, ran their collective nether regions off but were denied by the break of the ball and some excellent Boro defence.

The team news showed two changes from the good weekend trip to East Anglia. To my dismay as I sought some pre match refreshment, Thorne was not amongst them. In better news, Bryson was back, as was Christie as the merry-go-round at right-back continued.

After joining the rest of the plastic Paddy’s for a Guinness, it was showtime. As 32,000 packed into Pride Park, I’m sure I saw the majority of the away end taking pictures of an actual crowd. Joking aside, you could tell this was a big one. The noise was tempered with nervous excitement. The players seemed to add emphasis to the pre-match group hug. Simmo had one less layer on…

The early knockings served notice that this was to be tighter than a sealed jam jar. The play was instantly scrappy with both sides content on feeling each other out. It took fifteen minutes for the first real opportunity. A trademark burst from Christie saw him regain some of his early-season mojo and beat a man before delivering a superb cross which just evaded Ward on the far stick.

That seemed to rattle our visitors and soon after, we were indebted to our goalkeeper, not once but twice. After cheaply losing possession, Boro broke on us and Vossen slipped in Adomah down the right. His shot from the angle was pushed out by Grant, straight back to the onrushing Vossen, who shot low and true but found Grant’s right leg in the way. Still the danger was not clear, as Tomlin drove across goal, thankfully off Keogh and away for a corner.

With the subsequent danger averted, the game settled back into its untidy rhythm. Space was proving hard to come by, as the Rams, Albentosa in particular, frustratingly turned to delivering long balls towards Russell. In response, Woodgate reacted like a kid on Christmas morning to gleefully proceed to win everything in the air.

Hanson was doing his best in the middle of the park and tried his luck from all of 30 yards with a 4 iron when the driver was required. He was winning his fair share of headers but we really needed an experienced head to get the ball down and make us tick. Still, following one superb knock from Hughes, Ince got in around the back. Taking the ball down brilliantly, only some great defensive work from Friend (not Tom’s!) stopped us from probably taking the lead.

Chances were as rare as good news from the Budget but with five minutes to go in the half, we were almost undone. Miscommunication between Albentosa and Grant led to Lee charging out of his goal to head out a long ball. With Granty obviously not going to Spanish class this week, his header dropped straight to Vossen fully 35 yards out.

Without breaking stride, the Dutchman lobbed over the goalkeeper’s head and waited. As did the crowd. With the chair in front about to get some punishment, a reprieve came as the ball dropped against the post and back into Grant’s arms. 0-0. Half time.

It was apparent that the system was not working and Russell was as isolated as a One Direction fan at an Iron Maiden concert. Unfortunately, our hands were pretty much tied as the second half began in similar fashion to the first. Johnny did finally get a ball into the channel, but scuffed his shot across the box and wide.

Around the hour mark, the game started to heat up. For my money, a great challenge from Hanson left Leadbitter on the deck. As Boro played on and then lost possession, the referee somewhat frustratingly halted play, as players quickly circled our young man like a scene from Jaws. With Keogh among others coming to Hanson’s aid, some handbags at dawn were swiftly sorted out.

But it was bubbling. Next, Adomah broke free down the right hand side. Beating his man, his shot cum cross was perfect for Bamford, who couldn’t adjust his feet in time as, much to the delight of the crowd, he screwed wide.

However, after taking more abuse that a nightclub bouncer all evening, Patrick (I never knew he was a banker) soon silenced the baying thousands. After winning possession, Ince found Christie in the right back position. He could have lofted it upfield. Gone to the keeper. Even knocked it out of play. Instead, he drilled it straight at the considerable frame of Tomlin who motored forwards. And kept coming. And coming. Reaching the edge of the box, he slipped a delightful ball through Bamford. Onside.

As the angle tightened and Grant came and sprawled himself at the feet of young Patrick, I thought for all the world my friend Darren’s prediction of a Bamford pen was going to come true. Not so, as he instead showed remarkable composure and ability to round our goalie and squeeze the ball home.

With still 25 minutes to go, you knew it was going to be a long way back. McClaren immediately rolled the dice, throwing on Lingard and Hendrick for Ward and Hanson. Hughes then snapped, having been kicked silly for the previous ten minutes by Leadbitter, he cynically chopped down Vossen for an easy booking. One more and we will lose him for two games, something that we can ill afford. I’m sure McClaren is on it…

Time was ticking down but our hearts weren’t stopping. With Kwame Thomas on for Christie and Hendrick sent to right-back, we took a risk, and for the final 15 minutes, it was nearly all one way traffic. Bryson’s free-kick just evaded a touch and was beaten away, before another couple of scrambles fell to Boro feet.

With just over five to go, our golden ticket was presented to Lingard. Good work from Bryson and Hendrick down the right saw the latter drive a low ball into the box. After Gibson diverted away, Jesse took aim from a right of centre position, book snatched at it and saw his shot trickle wide.

Still we pressed as Albentosa was sent forwards. Lingard’s cut into Russell was then blocked as was Keogh’s stab goalwards. Another couple of flicks led to nothing and as time was running out, Boro then nearly grabbed an underserved second. Bamford rolled Keogh and had the length of the Rams half to decide which corner to put the ball in and what exit to send the Rams faithful out of. Instead, he dallied and Keogh got back just in time to divert the ball behind for a corner.

After what seemed like an eternity, we wrestled back possession and very nearly equalized with the final throw. Albentosa lofted one, onto the head of Lingard, who couldn’t get the power to find Ince or beat the goalkeeper. And that was that.

Obviously, a hugely disappointing and potentially fatal result as far as our promotion chances go. A wholehearted display, crucially lacking any quality, had come to nought. In the most crucial game and period to date, our injury problem really had reared its ugly head.

More than ever, we had missed Chris Martin, with the ball too freely being won by the Boro centre halves. But credit where credit is due. They looked a good side, particularly in the full-back areas, where Ince and Ward were limited to very little.

But we can make excuses all night.

Yes, injuries are hurting, there is no doubt. Yes, McClaren could have gambled with another system, but would have probably been overrun in the midfield. What I am sure of is we have another massive game on Friday.

And there will be another twist. It’s no time to feel sorry for ourselves.

Maybe it might be time to start thinking about not making plans on late May Bank Holiday Monday though…

Weston’s Player Ratings:

Lee Grant — 7 Steady evening, could he have stood up for the goal? Probably not.

Cyrus Christie — 6: A lot better first half but ultimately his mistake led to goal.

Raul Albentosa — 6: Far too many long ball forwards looking for Russell.

Richard Keogh — 7: Good tussle with Bamford.

Craig Forsyth — 6: Average again. Suppose he did what he had to do.

Jamie Hanson — 6: Didn’t let anybody down but needed an older head in there.

Will Hughes — 6: Kicked from pillar to post by Leadbitter on a night where he didn’t really get going. Booked again… so that’s 9 now!

Craig Bryson — 7: Gave us much needed energy.

Tom Ince — 6: Drifted in and out of the game.

Jamie Ward — 6: Battled hard but with no reward.

Johnny Russell — 6: Another who battled his socks off but had limited service.

Subs:

Jeff Hendrick — 6: Did ok at right back.

Jesse Lingard — 6: Arguably should have scored.

Kwame Thomas — 6: At least added a threat.

Match Info / Rams Team:

Ref: Andy D’Urso

Crowd: 31,939

Derby: Grant, Christie (Thomas 75’), Keogh, Albentosa, Forsyth, Hanson (Hendrick 70’), Bryson, Hughes, Ince, Russell, Ward (Lingard 70’).

Unused Subs: Roos, Dawkins, Shotton, Warnock.

Match Stats — Derby / Boro:

Goals: Bamford (64’)

Possession: 59% / 41%

Shots On Target: 10 / 7

Shots Off Target: 2 / 3

Corners: 2 /4

Fouls: 13 / 13

We Said / They Said - Match Reaction:

We Said — Steve McClaren:

"That is the sort of quality that Patrick Bamford is capable of producing and that was what made the difference. I was proud of the character my players showed but at the moment, with our injury problems, we can't produce the one special moment that settles games like this.”

"Nothing is settled by any means. There are eight games to go and believe me, there will be many a twist and turn to come in this division."

They said — Aitor Karanka:

"Nobody can be surprised by Patrick's goal. He has taken the main responsibility for scoring and he has the confidence to make the most of his chances.”

"Now we face more tough games against Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich so we must continue to show the same character."."

Highlights / Post Match Interviews:

Up Next For The Rams:

Wolves v Derby

7:45pm — Friday 20th March

Photo: Action Images

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