The Rams were up and about early in front of the Sky cameras and despite some gut busting runs and creative forays forward - Derby didn’t seem to be able to find the quality finish or beat Blackburn’s in form keeper who pulled off some fabulous saves. Hughes was entertaining the crowd as he led the Rams like an experienced senior campaigner - rather than a still spotty teenager as he chased, closed down and terrorised the Blackburn midfield and defenders in a MOTM performance.

His work alone should have been rewarded with a goal assist but unfortunately time and time again quality balls into the box were not converted on the score board.

Instead it was a moment of madness from Blackburn defender Marrow who gifted the Rams a penalty and gave lively new signing Johnny Russell a goal on debut as he smashed the ball into the bottom corner.

This was to be the only time a Derby player would beat Rovers keeper Kean — though they did try and try again he stood resolute - as the Rams looked unstoppable, pressing in waves before the half time whistle but it came to nothing more as they were unable to double their advantage.

As the game wore on Nigel Clough tried to hang on to their lead by introducing Coutts and Eustace to sure up the tiring midfield and provide cover for the defence but instead the Rams invited pressure and defended deeper… and deeper.

It felt more and more like the Rams would concede but they continued to ride their luck and absorb the growing amount of forward forays from the visitors.

Just when fans at Pride Park thought that maybe Derby would just fall over the line — a tired defence unforgivably gave Leon Best a vacant block of land to stand alone in and produce a fabulous strike to secure a point for Rovers.

On balance a draw was probably a fair result as both teams were unable to capitalise when they had the ascendency — and if one team had run away with it you would not have been surprised. The Rams could have been easily 2 or 3 up by just after half time but Blackburn could just as easily over run Derby in the last quarter of an hour.

But in the end it was the Rams hanging on by the skin of their teeth for a point when they could have easily walked away with nothing. You have to look for positives and despite some periods of quality play and the brilliance of Hughes — that is about all Derby fans had at the end of the opening day.

In post match interviews — Nigel was happy the Rams got away with the point:

"I think over the balance of the game it was a fair result. It's just disappointing the manner in which we conceded and the lateness of it. It's always difficult, the first one. It's a big occasion for everybody and I'm delighted we didn't lose."

“There were plenty of positives in the performance but the late goal does leave us with a bitter taste in the mouth. We felt pretty comfortable in the last 10 minutes and we felt like we were going to see it through, as although they had a lot of possession the chances they created were fairly minimal.”

“It was just one cross that we didn’t manage to stop and it caught us out, but a point on the opening day of the season against a good side is an encouraging start for us.

“We would have loved three points and that’s what we went for, but it’s also important that we didn’t lose the game because no-one likes a defeat to start the season and a draw was probably about right.

“It’s given us something to build on and there’s more to come from this team as well, which is encouraging and we must not let that late goal provide a negative vibe about the place because there’s been a positive atmosphere around the place.”

Clough was also pleased Johnny Russell scored from the spot on debut:

“It was great for Johnny to score and it was actually nice to score a penalty as well, given our record of four misses from four towards the back end of last season.

“Hopefully that goal will settle him down as well because today was a big occasion for him as well as the team, with him being our top summer signing and the excitement the fans feel about him.”

“He was shattered by the hour mark which is why he came off, but he showed signs that he’ll be able to adapt to life in the Championship.”

Now the Rams head to Boundary Park on Tuesday night for the Capital One Cup to face Oldham and attempt to put to rest the Rams terrible recent form in the competition.

A comprehensive win might play a big part in kick starting the Rams league form and put behind them a somewhat uneven performance against Blackburn.

Unlike years gone by lets hope that this is the case!

Match Information:

Crowd : 21,188 (inc. 746 Roving Rovers)

Match Statistics:

Possession: Derby 45% - Blackburn 55%

Shots: Derby 15 - Blackburn 20

Shots on target: Derby 5 - Blackburn 4

Corners: Derby 7 - Blackburn 7

Fouls: Derby 11 - Blackburn 15

Teams :

Derby : Grant (GK); Freeman, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth; Hendrick, Bryson, Hughes (Eustace 81), Ward; Martin (Sammon 84), Russell (Coutts 62). Unused Subs: Legzdins (GK), Smith, Davies, Jacobs.

Blackburn : Kean (GK), Kane, Dann, Hanley, Spurr, Judge, Lowe, Marrow (Cairney 77), King (Taylor 64), Rochina (Best 39), Rhodes. Unused Subs: Eastwood (GK), Dunn, Olsson, Givet.

Photo: Action Images

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