University tutorial scheduled at Birmingham University College for the 7th January; what else is on that day I wonder? Football in West Brom, just a short train away? Sign me up, to my first competitive away game in years no less!

Geordies mixing in an occasionally less than friendly fashion outside New Street but nothing to dampen the spirits before arriving at the wonderful Hawthorns.

Pointless bag search completed (a number of bottles were confiscated during the tie from those in the near vicinity) it was inside to join a sea of Rams fans in the Derby dominated away end.

The teams are announced; both managers have picked strong outfits, the Rams bring in Shackell, Razza and Thorne-clone De Sart whilst nice guy Pulis selects a near first choice eleven in riposte. The key question is how the Rams will react to the Norwich drubbing? A response or the annual New Year meltdown?

Early signs hint at the former; Camara seems to have the measure of Dawson down the left and the latest McClaren loanee looks every inch the part in the centre.

Nonetheless, its hearts in mouths time as Carson all too fondly remembers his time playing for the home side and decides to give them the ball; only a stunning clearance from Keogh saves the goalkeepers blushes.

It's only a brief stay of execution, as for all Derby's neat play and promise going forward, there's nervousness at the back. That and a down right desire to inflict self harm, which Captain Keogh does in giving the ball to the electric Matty Phillips, who shimmies and slides and beats Carson from twenty yards.

Now it's a test for Derby who have done well up to a point but are now behind against a Premier League side well known for being organised and hard to beat.

The half approaches and it appears to be going tits up for the Rams who are shaken and the Baggies have chances to put the game to bed; they don't take them and the break comes with many feeling we've escaped without insurmountable damage.

Stick or twist is the chat at half time; Bent has been isolated and Hanson is predictably having problems against the effervescent Phillips. The Mac does not make any changes and we hope he has calmed the nerves in the dressing room.

He has but the Baggies still push for a second in the early going but then it all changes out of nothing. Camara attracts defenders to him and slips the ball into Bent, who does what Derby do all too little and just wallops the ball towards goal.

We pause. The net bulges (and then some!). We un-pause and go utterly ballistic!!

It's a hell of strike from a player who isn't what he was but who seems to be building a twilight career in the currency of sensational goals, especially against the rivals of his former employers at Villa Park.

All of a sudden, belief springs from the ashes and we drive forward; Razza and Ince are unpredictable and game for an upset. The latter earns a free kick and then proceeds to curl it over the wall and past the statuesque fat lad in the West Brom goal.

We, the brave five thousand from Sparta/Derby go absolutely bananas as Ince spins away in delight. Reports suggest Boaz Myhill is still considering diving for the ball.

Suddenly, somehow, in the space of what seems a few short breaths, we lead away at a Premier League ground and it’s not underserved. We have the talent and now we show the grit and heart required to survive and thrive, Norwich is a memory and we are up for the fight (jog on Holloway).

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the fight begins to take its toll; more than one goes down with cramp and Johnson in particular appears to take a ball to the, well, balls.

Meanwhile chances are exchanged; Dawson hits the post from one of the unending stream of West Brom corners and Myhill moves his girth enough to save from Ince. It's going to be end to end.

A third appears possible; Bent turns and fires straight at Myhill and the killer chance goes begging when Ince breaks away and does everything but find the unmarked Vydra on the edge of the box.

Five extra minutes are added but for all the home sides possession and for all of their set pieces, the ball appears magnetised to the head of the outstanding Shackell and the minutes slowly tick by until at last, the glorious end arrives.

The Rams are in the hat for the next round; the fans decide to have a lock in well after the home support has trudged off.

Chris Powell punches the air, once, twice, three times and we are in party mood after a tough few weeks.

Leeds away on Friday; what was a growing dark mood has lifted

We can go there and win.

All Derby aren't we?

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Photo: Action Images

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