Last time he turned 1 into 3 and this time around he turned 0 into 1 - and nearly 0 into 1 into 3. The ‘he’ I am talking about is Patrick Bamford, a player who has now saved the day twice and may prove to be the much needed spark lacking of late.

After last weekend’s humiliation at Forest, Blackburn looked much stronger on paper with two of their best players Paul Robinson and Jordan Rhodes returning. The other factor the Rams would have to counter was Rovers home form, which has been close to impeccable in recent months.

Steve McClaren was as good as his word from during the week with the only change for Derby being Hendrick in for Hughes, giving the boy wonder a much deserved rest — even if it was just a 33 minute rest as it turned out. Encouragingly for the Rams squad depth, Johnny Russell also returned to the bench having recovered from injury.

The Rams charged out of the blocks, looking the more creative while dominating the early possession. Despite Derby bossing proceedings, the first real chance fell to the home side but Lee Grant continued to grow in a Rams shirt with a brilliant save that stopped a bullet header from Gestede.

Simon Dawkins nearly created the opening goal for The Rams when he showed some tricks to get past two defenders, before crossing cleverly to find Hendrick who could not finish off the classy move when he shot over. Need to take these chances.

Gestede again was looking dangerous by head as he once again troubled the Rams defence, but luckily for the visitors, despite meeting the ball from close range his header went over from a long throw.

On 34 minutes Hendrick had to leave the field after a challenge by Marshall left him unable to continue. Hughes had to put down his cocktail, take of his Hawaiian shirt and fold up his deck chair, as his rest day was suddenly cut short.

Hendrick has really only just got his season back on track after recently returned from injury, so hopefully it proves to be nothing serious — fingers crossed for you Jeff!

The first half had been a scrappy affair, with both teams having spells of dominance but neither being able to take it by the scruff of the neck. With scores level at half time, it seemed a fair indication of where the match was at.

HT: 0 — 0

The Rams would have been hoping to wrestle control of the game from the outset in the second forty five; unfortunately things didn’t go to plan as the Rams went behind within minutes of the re-start.

The danger signs had been there in the first half but still The Rams defence continued to let Gestede off the leash. The Blackburn man got loose from his marker and as a cross was whipped in, stooped low and cleverly headed home from point blank range.

As has been the story many times this season, the kick in the pants brought the best out in the Rams, who dominated much of the second half as they bossed the home side, who psychologically may have decided to try and hang on rather than consolidate their lead.

Derby seem to have lost their early season goal radar of late, at one time they seemed unable not to score but recently it has been on the blink. Just after the hour mark it failed again when Craig Bryson's clever touch put Craig Forsyth in on goal. The defender burst into the box and found himself with only Robinson to beat between the sticks; instead Craig didn’t even manage to hit the target and wasted the opportunity by blazing over. Another moment for the end of season “FFI” highlight reel. (Forsyth Fudged It), which seems to be gaining more material than many of us would like.

With his half hour rest and relaxation under his belt, Will Hughes pulled out a fabulous lob which found Robinson all at sea, and just when it seemed the youngster’s clever chip had the Rams on the board, the crossbar cruelly intervened and bounced the ball to safety for the home team.

Derby was controlling the closing stages of the match but it was starting to feel like the Wigan match, as no matter how much or how hard they attacked, they could not find a goal for their efforts.

One of the few Rovers attacks nearly stopped the Rams run when Tom Cairney skidded in a dangerous shot that only needed a slight touch to find the net. Luckily for Derby, no one found the touch and they were still in the hunt. Dawkins turned Adam Henley inside out for the umpteenth time in the match and went close with a shot that found the side netting in the 80th minute, but it was 3 minutes later the Rams got some reward for their hard work.

Last weeks super sub Patrick Bamford once again showed why he is so highly regarded by parent club Chelsea and impressed so much at MK Dons, when he made it 2 goals in 2 games to save a point for his new club.

In the 84th minute Bamford picked the ball up from outside 25 yards out and let fly with a brilliant bending shot that curled past a flailing Robinson into the bottom corner of Rovers net.

At 1 — 1, a final flurry of activity begun as both teams tried to conserve the point while still trying to steal a winner.

Some lax defending nearly undid all of The Rams good work, when only minutes after the goal, Chris Taylor did well to tee up Todd Kane who shot only marginally wide. Bamford could have had made it a brace and once again been the match winner when right at the death, he latched onto the ball in good position only to watch his shot fly over the bar.

FT: 1 — 1

A good point against a team nearly impossible to beat at home or two points lost because the Rams continue to put the ball away when in the ascendancy?

Either way it is important to keep picking up points and ensure that come the end of the season, Derby are not looking over their shoulder and safely ensconced in a playoff position.

Now we look to a more than winnable game against second to bottom Yeovil on Tuesday night at the iPro, and if my opinion counts for anything (which it doesn’t), Bamford must start. It’s time to give Ward a rest to see if a breather can help him find his early season spark, and in turn substitute him with a player full of confidence, who has been scoring goals for fun with ease this season.

Just my humble opinion, but one I think will be shared by more than one or two of my fellow Rams fans.

Next up it’s the pressure that comes with a match the Rams will be expected to win.

Good sides revel in expectation and the Rams are a good side who are learning to scrap and grind out a game for one or three points — leaving empty handed can no longer be an option!

COYR!!

Gaffer Reaction:

We Said — Head Coach Steve McClaren:

"The equaliser was well deserved - we're a little disappointed not to have won the game, t was scrappy in the first half and there was nothing in the game, with half chances at both ends. Then after conceding a goal, the response of the team was great.” ”We got the ball down and played, and we were positive with our substitutions again. It's great when you've got people who can come off the bench and make an impact, with 20 minutes to go, I thought we were in control of the game.” “So we opened it up, brought Conor on and went 4-2-4. We dominated the game and deserved the equaliser - and what a goal it was. And we should have got the winner in the end."

They Said — Blackburn Manager Gary Bowyer:

"I think when you go 1-0 ahead you hope you can see it through, but you have to remember the level of opposition we are playing, they've been on a fantastic run.”

"We rode our luck a little bit in the second half with one or two opportunities, but when they do equalise it is a fantastic strike from the kid. You have to take your hat off. The players are a little bit disappointed, but we've just said to them it is about picking up points. If we can't get three then we have to make sure that we got one and that is what we've done today."

Match Stats — Blackburn / Derby:

Possession: 39% / 61%

Corners: 2 / 6

Shots (On Target): 16 (5) / 17 (3)

Fouls: 11 / 13

Yellow Cards: 0 / 0

Match Info:

Attendance: 13,796 (1,120 Roving Rams)

Referee: Tony Harrington

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