Omens were bad before the first whistle and although the Rams looked the better side for much of the game, as has been the case for most of the season they couldn't turn pressure into goals.

Bristol City v Derby County
Coca Cola Championship
Ashton Gate, Bristol
Saturday 24th April 2010 - 3:00pm

Referee: Mr. C Pawson

Attendance: 15,835 (1,757 Travelling Rams)

Goals: Maynard 3’, Maynard 79’, Pearson 86’

Teams:

Bristol: Gerken, Orr, Carey, Nyatanga, Sawyer, Elliott, Hartley (Johnson 70), Skuse, Campbell-Ryce (Sproule 61), Maynard, Haynes (Agyemang 43)

Unused Subs: Clarkson, Akinde, Riberio, Henderson

Derby: Deeney, Hunt, Anderson (Connolly 52’), Barker, McEveley, Tonge, Savage, Sunu (Teale 35’), Pearson, Cywka, Porter (Martin 73’)

Unused Subs: Atkins, Moxey, Pringle

Match Report:

As rumours flew left, right and centre about the future of Hulse and Commons at DCFC, the Rams attacking options seemed limited with both absent from the squad that travelled to Ashton Gate.

Stephen Pearson returned from his two match suspension, replacing David Martin while Gilles Sunu was a late replacement for Paul Green who was injured in the warm up before the game.

A sign of things to come? Sadly yes.

If ever there was an example of the type of player that the Rams require to add the creativity and dander in attack they require it is Bristol City’s Nicky Maynard.

He terrorised and ran rings around the Derby players for 90 minutes and in what was at times a lack lustre match, grabbed the three points by the scruff of the neck and delivered them to the home side.

The slow starting Rams were once again punished early as Maynard shot truly to put the Robins ahead after only three minutes. Marvin Elliott  did well to place his header in front of the oncoming Maynard who converted from close range.

Derby could have been level only minutes later when Chris Porter  did well but could not get past Bristol keeper Dean Gerken.

Derby struggling to get any fluency in midfield or attack and were nearly punished on 20 minutes when Jamal Campbell-Ryce put in a good cross to Louis Carey.  His header which was goal-bound but Saul Deeney was equal to the challenge in his first start for the Rams and punched the ball clear.

Campbell-Ryce squandered another good opportunity only moments later when he shot well but without accuracy to see his effort flash past the right of Deeney's goal.

Michael Tonge who although still digging in and working hard, seems to be beginning to suffer from his lack of match time for much of the season before joining Derby.

The edge of his earlier Rams performances seems to have been blunted but he continues to present himself in front of goal and was unlucky when a cracking effort from 20 yards was well blocked by Carey.

Tomasz Cywka who had been well held for much of the first forty five bobbed up to attempt a long range shot but Gerken once again had the better of the exchange.

Giles Sunu who had replaced the injured Green before the match went down in a screaming heap and was unable to continue.

This meant soon to be out of contract Gary Teale entered the fray - in place of the so far unimpressive Gunners loanee.

The Rams had to get busy in defence when in quick succession Nicky Hunt  did very well to get in the way of a Danny Haynes shot and Robbie Savage was then on hand to clear a dangerous corner from Hartley.

With only seconds left in the half Nicky Hunt burst forward to send a brilliant shot from distance that deserved a goal but unfortunately for the Rams found the fists of Gerken who was exceptional as he punched clear.

HT: 1 - 0

Derby were looking a bit brighter in the second half but it was the Robins who had the best early effort when Campbell-Ryce once again missed a good chance when he could only fire over the crossbar from a Hartley corner.

Porter who had been working hard despite little service from his mid-field popped up with a shot that should have levelled things up but instead went frustratingly wide as his radar malfunctioned at an inopportune moment.

The Rams were beginning to get on top of Bristol but still could not conjure an equaliser and much of their good work was being let down by poor final balls or a lack of attacking polish to finish off.

Gary Teale had been very good since coming on late in the first half and had two good chances but Bradley Orr cleared his first and Gerken made an easy catch from the second.

Porter continued the pressure when he was on the end of a good cross from Teale but once again Gerken was the victor as he saved the close range effort.

Deeney made a very good save with twenty minutes to go and showed that he was not out of place at Championship level but unfortunately for the young stopper he was soon to be beaten again.

Ivan Sproule was brought down by Hunt who although was sloppy in his challenge was put under terrible pressure when the Rams mid-field collapsed in front of him. Maynard stepped up to the spot and completed his brace when he placed his spot kick into the bottom right of the net.

The injury curse reared its head again as Anderson had to be replaced by Paul Connolly who had only just returned from a loan spell at Sheffield United.

Chris Porter soon joined the list of wounded as David Martin replaced him being the closest thing to a striker that Derby had remaining on the bench.

On a positive for the Rams, they did not drop their heads as they continued to attack and finally got a result when the hard running Stephen Pearson found himself on the end of a Cywka cross and placed the ball in the back of the net with only three minutes remaining, setting up a grandstand finish.

Derby piled on more pressure but even with four minutes added in extra time they could not find the equaliser they probably deserved on the balance of play.

In the end they were punished for squandering their efforts for much of the game, a story which has been told far too often this season.

Man Of The Match:

Gary Teale – The Scot was bright and positive after coming on in the first half for the injured Sunu. He gave the Rams a much needed thrust and energy that had been lacking even if at times his final balls were all over the place.

With his contract ending at the end of the season Gary was playing for his career at the Rams.

He continues to divide opinion with some fans appreciating his endeavour and willing to overlook the problems in his game while others feel he is not fit to wear a Rams shirt (hence my selection of picture for this article).

I am not one of those who believe he is a lost cause and with a better team around him I believe he could still offer something to the Rams.

On this performance he showed that if he can be secured at a reasonable price, compared to what he is probably being paid now; he would definitely be a useful squad member adding depth and another option for next season.

Managers Reaction:

Nigel Clough talking to the Official Site after the match:

"It was a familiar story away from home to be honest; we played well and didn't quite get what we deserved".

"We gave away two very soft goals and didn't make the most of our situations in the final third. The football we played was good today, but we didn't make the right decisions in the final third".

"The early goal was a blow but we recovered and did enough to take at least a point. We just need to turn those good elements from today - and other games - into results and I am sure that will come."

"It was even more pleasing to play so well considering how many injuries we had. In all, at full-time we had fourteen players out injured which is a huge amount".

"We know when we have our full squad available we are a top half side. We've had a huge amount of injuries this year and we certainly hope for some more luck next time around".

Captain’s Reaction:

Robbie Savage talking to the Official Site after the match:

"I thought we played exceptionally well today,it was a poor start to go a goal down after three minutes but I thought we recovered well and dominated the game".

"Wrong decisions in the final third cost us today, which is frustrating and perhaps a story of our season away from home.
I was talking to a few Bristol City fans afterwards and they were saying we should have won, which probably reflects our performance today".

"Considering the injuries we had as well, I think we did very well. Now we just want to go out on a high against Cardiff next weekend and go into the summer off the back of a victory".

"We all know about the 6-1 defeat at Cardiff earlier in the season so perhaps we have to put the record straight against Cardiff".

"The travelling support was unbelievable as usual and I would like to thank the 1,700 who made the long journey to support us. I think we put on a good display for them, and it would have been even better to get a result for them."

Photo: Action Images

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