The Lions pounced from their den to try and ambush the Rams but when they finally struck the Rams struck back.

Millwall 1 v 1 Derby County
FA CUP Round 3
The New Den - Bermondsey, London
2nd January 2010 - 3:00pm

Attendance: 10,531  (1,387 – Travelling Rams)

Referee:  J Linnington

Goals: Grabban (Mill) - 49' / Commons (Der) - 52'

Replay Date & Venue:  January 12th – Pride Park

Teams:

MILLWALL:

Forde; Smith, Robinson, Craig, Frampton; Hackett, Abdou, Laird, Martin (Schofield 88); Grabban (Price 88), Morison.

Unused subs: Sullivan, Dunne, Ward, Grimes, Fuseini.

DERBY COUNTY:

Bywater; Connolly, Addison, Buxton, Moxey; Hendrie (Johnson 46), Green, Pearson, Commons (Teale 90); Hulse (Davies 76), Porter.

Unused subs: Deeney, Mendy, Pringle, Ball.
 

The Short Match Summary:

Millwall have been near impossible to overcome at home this season and Derby were up against it from the opening whistle. The home team began faster and seemed harder and more intent on winning the ball from the word go.

This should always be expected in a cup tie when a club meets an opponent higher on the divisional pecking order. The Rams seemed intent on just hanging on and trying to ride out the initial burst of energy to then take control of the game.

The first half was definitely Millwalls with more posession and chances to open the scoring but were unable to make any of these count as although dominating, the teams went to the half all square at 0-0.

The second half was a different affair as Derby cranked up the intensity and took the game to Millwall. What resulted was an end to end affair with both teams desperate to wrestle control.

It was deservedly Millwall who struck on 49 minutes when Grabban when he rose to head home a perfectly weighted cross from Hackett. Reward for effort and the Rams were in trouble.

Kris Commons had been a constant threat in the first and was unlucky not to score just before the half time break. He continued to be a danger in the second and was rewarded three minutes after Millwalls goal on 52 minutes when he provided a quick reply for the Rams.

Commons managed to find space in a very crowded box to latch on to a long throw from Moxey and put the ball in the net from an impressive angle.

The game continued to fluctuate but Derby now had blood in their nostrils and were determined to go on and win the game.
Hulse and Commons both had good chances saved while Millwall had an effort saved off the line by Dean Moxey.

As the final whistle blew neither team had managed a winner or managed to avoid a repeat of the tie at Pride Park on January 12th.

With the draw a just result in a game that neither team stamped as their own, both teams will be aware of who awaits the winner when the fourth round is drawn on Sunday night.

When the draw is announced the prospective apponent could play a massive part in who lifts the gear required to progress in the replay.

The enticement of a big team tie would be incentive enough for both clubs but the Rams would rate their chances now they can take the Lions den out of the equation.

What the Manager said:

Nigel Clough talking on the official site:

"I think we were worthy of a draw in the end".

"The game was quite open in the second half, and we new they would make it difficult for us and chase everything, we responded well coming back so quickly".

"We had a good spell of pressure after that and it was just a shame we couldn't get the winner".

Best Of The Match Reports:

For our view - DCFC Official Site

For their view - Millwall Official Site

Sky Sports

TheRams.co.uk

Photo: Action Images

Derby County Polls