The Rams were unable to atone for being bundled out of the league cup midweek as they slipped to a second defeat in five days courtesy of Scunthorpe United.

Before the game even got underway eyebrows were raised as the recognised strike force for Derby was warming the pine. Commons, Varney and Hulse all in the team but amongst the substitutes with Teale a lone striker and McEveley taking over the formers position on the left wing.

The interesting team selections by Nigel didn't seem to have the desired result unless he was hoping to be under pressure from the opening whistle. 

It took 17 minutes for the Iron to get on the score sheet but they always looked like doing so as Gary Hooper single handedly tore Derby to pieces for pretty much the entire match.

His first goal came just after the quarter hour mark with some comical defending from the Rams. He continually ran at the back four who seemed to fear his tencity with the goal a sign of things to come.

Derby was a shambles for much of the opening half and should have been out of the match but luckily were still only 1-0 down when Paul Green pulled back the early goal to get things back on level terms. Moxey and Pearson combined to find Green and he shot truly from just outside the area.

Hooper scored his second just before the break as he ran at... pretty much nobody... with the Derby defence nowhere to be seen. His low shot beat the sprawling Bywater.

At the break the Rams left the field looking down the barrel of certain defeat. If they continued to produce the low standard of football on show during the first 45 there would be little hope and were more than lucky to still be in the game.

HT: 2-1

Things didn’t change much for Derby after the break until Commons was introduced ten minutes after the re-start and he immediately made an impact.

The Scottish international got things on level terms again after Green was fouled in the box. The cool, calm penalty from Commons gave the large contingent of Rams fans hope of stealing all three points.

With Teale back on the left, Croft getting into the game and Commons creating play, Derby went up a gear for a short spell but were unable to find a third goal as the teams traded blows.

The introduction of Rob Hulse for his first run this season was not enough to find a winner but in a day with little to cheer a bout it was a massive positive just to see him out there.

With only eight minutes left on the clock the Iron ended the contest as Scunthorpe slowly wrestled back control of the game. Hooper and Sparrow found Woolford and he produced a low strike that nestled comfortably in the back of the net.

Derby was unable to launch any type of resistance after the Irons third and it rounded off a very disappointing performance for the Rams.

Perhaps a trip to the seaside on Tuesday night will be just what the team needs.

Here's hoping!

FT: 3-2

Dan's Man (of the match!): 

Paul Green. A player who for two seasons seems to turn up for every game expecting to play.

The Stats That Matter:

Teams:

SCUNTHORPE UNITED:
Murphy; A Wright, Byrne, Jones, Williams; Sparrow, O'Connor, McCann, Woolford; Hayes, Hooper.

Subs:
Togwell (87), J Wright (80), Forte (85) Lillis, Thompson, May, Canavan.

DERBY COUNTY:
Bywater; Connolly, Addison, Buxton, Moxey; Croft, Green, Savage, Pearson, McEveley, Teale.

Subs:
Commons (53), Hulse (73), Barker (89), Deeney, Leacock, Pringle, Varney.

Referee:

G Horwood

Attendance:

7,352 including 2,092 travelling Rams.

Photo: Action Images

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