RamZone Wrap: Then It All Went Horribly Wrong.... Again!
Sunday, 8th Mar 2015 13:18 by Daniel J Sewart

Despite Derby heading into stoppage time two goals to the good — the Blues found away to steal a point while the Rams found a way to drop two.

A first half goal to Jamie Ward and second half goal to Tom Ince seemed like it would be enough as the Rams reached 90 minutes 2-0 up and seemingly cruising.

For most of the match, the home team had dominated a poor Birmingham team and looked set to get back on track and return to top spot on the table with Boro self destructing against Forest.

Then it all went terribly wrong….. again.

On 92 minutes Ince gave away a dubious penalty — one that was converted — giving the visitors the slightest of chances.

That sniff became blood in the nostrils on 95 minutes…. yes you read correct 95 minutes (of the 7 eventually played - thanks ref!)…. as the Blues equalised and one of the greatest heists seen at the iPro was completed.

With other results working in their favour — the Rams somehow stayed equal top after only gathering 1 point from the last 9 up for grabs.

But you never look a gift horse in the mouth — you have to be in it to win it and sitting equal top, with less than a dozen games to go — the Rams are well and truly in it!

Ryan Weston was at the iPro and as soon as he has finished identifying the perpetrators in a line up of blue wearing rascals, who stole two points on Saturday, we will present his report on the match… and I have a feeling it will be another Weston classic!

Till then - never give up, never surrender — still equal top and in it up to our eye balls!

Match Info / Rams Team:

Ref: Iain Williamson

Crowd: 31,522

Derby: Grant, Christie, Keogh, Albentosa, Forsyth, Mascarell, Hendrick, Hughes (Bryson 80’), Ince, Ward (Lingard 74’), Russell (Dawkins 83’).

Unused Subs: Roos, Buxton, Thomas, Shotton.

Match Stats — Derby / Birmingham:

Goals: Ward (20’), Ince (48’) / Caddis (90+2’), Donaldson (90+5’)

Possession: 58% / 42%

Shots On Target: 6 / 3

Shots Off Target: 8 / 12

Corners: 8 / 7

Fouls: 19 / 15

We Said / They Said - Match Reaction:

We Said — Steve McClaren:

"I think it was a double mugging. It's a freak result but we can't blame anybody. The game is 95 minutes not 91, 92 and you have to see it through.”

"When you are 2-0 up with two minutes to go you should see the game through but we didn't and there's a lot of anger going around."

They said — Gary Rowett:

"Whether we deserved it or not is not really relevant. The fact is we've kept going and kept believing and trying to get something out of the game.”

"As we all know, until the game is all over it's not over. But I'm sure if you are a Derby fan or player you will be hugely disappointed you haven't won."