Another sad story of bad luck or simply a case of not being good enough? Five consecutive losses would seemingly point to the latter.

Derby County 0 vs. 1 Brighton and Hove Albion

Pride Park Stadium

Tuesday November 29th

G. Salisbury

Crowd:

22,040 (702 Circling Seagulls)

The Teams:

The Rams:

Fielding, Green, Barker, Shackell, Roberts, B Davies (Bennett 72’), Bailey, Hendrick, Bryson, Ward, Priskin (Ball 68’).

Unused Substitutes: Legzdins, O'Brien, Buxton.

Yellow Cards: Bryson, Priskin

The Seagulls:

Ankergren, Greer, Dunk, Hoskins (Paynter 83’), Navarro, Barnes (Noone 57’), Mackail-Smith, Calderon (El-Abd 49’), Harley, Vincelot, Bridcutt.

Unused Substitutes: Brezovon, Lua Lua.

Yellow Cards: Calderon, El-Abd

Goals: Mackail-Smith (13’)

Match Stats: Derby - Brighton

 Possession: 50% - 50%

Shots On Target: 7 - 4

Shots Off Target: 7 – 5

Corners: 6 - 7

Fouls: 15 – 11

Most Fouls: Roberts (4) - Dunk (3)

Match Summary:

The Rams had plenty of chances but were left to rue their abysmal finishing as they ran rampant for long periods without impacting on the scoreboard.

Priskin very nearly scored within a minute of the match beginning but only just fired wide with his long range shot.

Craig Bryson tested Seagulls keeper Ankergren as the Dane did well to save Bryson's good effort from more than 20 yards out.

Despite the early Rams pressure, as has been so often the case this season, the opposition took the lead in the 13th minute when Mackail-Smith shot truly from a cross delivered by Inigo Calderon.

The Rams tried to pull things back with a quick reply but both Priskin and Hendrick had good efforts repelled by Ankergren and his defence.

After sitting out the match at West Ham, Hendrick was ensuring he would not be dropped again easily as he worked hard in the Rams midfield. His work led to another shot from the edge of the area that once again could not find its target.

James Bailey got into the act when he shot wide followed by a fabulous long range effort from Jamie Ward but once again Ankergren was on hand to save the day for the Gulls.

Brighton had weathered the storm and before half time Gordon Greer tried to double the visitor’s advantage when he lashed a shot over the bar from a corner.

The second half was not as lively until the hour mark when Craig Noone shot wide once and then twice with another effort minutes later.

The Rams stepped up their attempts to get something from the game and Jason Shackell went agonisingly close with a header.

Ball and Bennett were introduced into the match and the Derby youngsters went about squandering some good opportunities. Both were impressive and showed the potential they have but like the rest of the team were unable to put the finishing touches on their good work.

Mackail-Smith came close to a brace when just after the 80 minute mark he hit the post from a corner. Bennett could have made himself a hero when he somehow managed to lift a great chance over the bar.

The Brighton defence had looked unstable for the entire match but they dug in and fought like their lives depended on keeping Derby out. Despite their desperation, if the Rams had been able to find a finish for their dominance, they would have rescued a point or even managed to win the game.

Five straight defeats for Derby and it doesn’t look like getting better any time soon.

Official Match Reports:

Official DCFC Site

Official Seagulls Site

Manager’s Reaction:

For the second time in consecutive matches Nigel Clough lamented his team’s lack of luck:

"We are dumbfounded how we lost the game. The performance level was good and we know that's as well as we have played for a few weeks.”

"We just need a break to come our way in the box and a clean sheet as well, which will give us something to build on. We can't ask for much more from the lads. We asked for a high tempo performance on the front foot and we got that for the majority of the 90 minutes.”

 "Although the result wasn't there for us we will take that sort of performance every game between now and the end of the season. We're in a sort of run at the moment where the slightest piece of misfortunate is being punished.”

"Brighton's goal took a deflection off Shaun Barker and then at the other end we had numerous situations in their penalty box, but the ball didn't quite drop our way. It hurts to lose games but believe it or not when you lose and put a performance in like that, it hurts a little less.”

"We just need to grind one out from somewhere and we feel one result will turn it all around for us. This is the Championship and we're more than capable of winning five on the trot and going an unbeaten run - we just need to get a result to get us going again."

Next Match:

Crystal Palace vs. Derby County

7:45pm - Friday December 2nd

Photo: Action Images

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