Chris Martin’s second half goal saw Derby to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. Martin seized on a Tommy Smith error in the 57th minute to win the game for the Rams, who had John Eustace sent off late on.

Cole Skuse missed out through illness with Luke Hyam taking his place in Town's central midfield, while Tyrone Mings starting at left-back for Jonny Parr was the only other change from the team which lined-up against Charlton in Town’s last league game.

Ex-Blue Darren Bent was amongst Derby’s subs, while former Town academy schoolboy and ballboy Richard Keogh skippered the Rams.

In gusty conditions, Town went close to going in front in the third minute when David McGoldrick played Jay Tabb in behind the Derby defence on the left of the area with a superb cross-field pass. But the midfielder’s low shot was saved by Rams keeper Lee Grant and Daryl Murphy’s rebound was blocked.

The Rams dominated the early possession but without threatening Bartosz Bialkowski’s goal and on 14 Town went close again. McGoldrick played the ball into Murphy’s feet on the edge of the box, the Town top scorer laying it back to the former Forest striker, who hit a powerful curling shot over.

Derby created their first opportunity in the 15th minute, Jordan Ibe cutting a ball across from the left and finding Jeff Hendrick, whose shot was blocked. Cyrus Christie’s rebound flew well wide.

A minute later, Tommy Smith was booked for tripping a Johnny Russell when in full-flight breaking towards the area. Russell curled the freekick wide.

The Rams had much the better of the next 10 minutes or so, continuing to have most of the ball, but without creating a further opportunity.

On 26 McGoldrick worked himself space on the edge of the box but his shot was deflected over. From the resultant corner Murphy nodded it down but McGoldrick was unable to turn goalwards. Three minutes later, Anderson hit a speculative effort from distance well wide.

John Eustace was booked for pulling back McGoldrick as Town broke in the 39th minute with the game not really having lived up to its billing. Following the freekick, McGoldrick helped create an opening for Murphy wide on the left but his strike from a tight angle flew over.

In the 43rd minute Berra made a superb saving challenge on Russell as the Scottish international shot having broken into the area.

There was a flare-up between McGoldrick and Eustace a minute before the end of the half when the Rams midfielder barged the Town striker while off the ball as Town broke, the Irish international striker catching the former Watford man as he fell.

Referee Kevin Wright bizarrely gave the freekick to Derby as McGoldrick expressed his displeasure by pushing Eustace in the chest as a number of other players joined in the melee. After order was restored, referee Wright booked McGoldrick but issued no sanction to Eustace, who had already been yellow-carded.

At the whistle, skipper Luke Chambers and a number of other Town players continued to remonstrate with the official, who was booed off by the Blues support.

Overall, Derby had had the better of a not overly-enthralling first half, having most of the ball and passing it around slickly, however, without creating many clear-cut opportunities.

Town, under-par compared with other recent home first-half performances, defended solidly for the most part and managed to carve out the better of the game’s few chances when going forward, Tabb’s early effort probably the best.

Teddy Bishop struck the first serious shot of the second half five minutes after the restart, the 18-year-old forcing Grant to scramble the ball away somewhat uncomfortably to his right before the danger was cleared.

The Town players made a strong claim for a penalty in the 53rd minute when - after excellent work from Mings and McGoldrick - Keogh appeared to block Tabb’s cross from the left with his arm. Referee Wright remained unmoved much the continued annoyance of the home fans, however, replays suggested he was correct.

Ex-Canary Martin headed Christie’s right-wing cross well wide in the 55th minute, then on 56 Stephen Hunt took over from Tabb.

Despite the Blues having started the half strongly, the visitors went ahead in the 57th minute. Smith misjudged Christie’s long ball over the top, weakly nodding back towards Bialkowski, allowing Martin to nip in to poke home. The ball had appeared to hold up in the wind and Smith ought to have cleared rather than looking to head back to his keeper.

Top scorer Murphy ought to have added to his 17 goals on the hour when McGoldrick flicked on a ball from the right but former Sunderland man failed to make enough contact and Grant saved and claimed the loose ball ahead of Hunt.

Russell hit a low shot which gave Bialkowski little trouble on 65, then Christophe Berra headed Hunt’s freekick from the left to Grant at the far post.

Two minutes later McGoldrick scuffed wide, moments before Noel Hunt replaced Anderson. On 72 Kevin Bru replaced Bishop.

As the game moved into its final 10 minutes Hunt and Hendrick clashed heads, the Derby man having to go off and the Blues winger requiring a change of shirt and shorts and a bandage.

Hyam was booked for pulling back Russell on 85 with Derby now largely happy to sit back and soak up Town pressure with the Blues showing few signs of getting back on terms.

As the game moved into injury time Eustace was finally shown a second yellow card, once again for a foul on McGoldrick. The Town support will have felt it ought to have come much earlier.

Town looked to put the pressure on in the final moments, Bru hitting a powerful 25-yard strike which Grant did well to save, then McGoldrick forcing a corner with a deflected shot wide. From the corner the ball was nodded back to the near post but Noel Hunt couldn’t add the final touch.

The Blues won another corner deep, deep in injury time, after a Stephen Hunt freekick had been punched out by Grant, from which Smith headed over, but moments later referee Wright’s whistle confirmed the Blues’ first defeat since October 21st at Cardiff, halting their unbeaten run at 12. It was Town’s first home loss since August 23rd.

Having started the second half on top, the Blues somewhat gifted the goal to Derby, who from there saw the game out without too many dramas against a Town side which huffed and puffed but made little headway against a Rams team who on this evidence appear more likely automatic promotion challengers.

As so often in the Championship there wasn’t too much between the sides - although the more composed Derby were in control for the most part - with one error deciding which way the points would go.

The result sees the Blues drop to third with none of the teams in action able to go ahead of them.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Hyam, Bishop (Bru 72), Tabb (S Hunt), Anderson (N Hunt 68), Murphy, McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, Parr, N Hunt, Bajner, Ambrose.

Derby: Grant, Christie, Forsyth, Buxton, Keogh (c), Eustace, Hendrick (Bryson 81), Hughes, Russell (Shotton 90), Ibe (Dawkins 86), Martin. Unused: Roos, Ward, Mascarell, Bent. Kevin Wright (Merseyside). Att: 20,861 (Derby: 873).

Photo: Action Images

rfretwell added 19:11 - Jan 10 Amazing how the knives cone out for Hyam wgen we lose! Just remember rvrryone he hss had a bad run of injuries so hasnt played anywhete near the number of ganes the others have. He played the Skuse anchor role effectively today and had a good battle against Will Hughes. Hughes is Derby's Teddy Bishop and has a big future in the game too.
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Pilgrimblue added 19:12 - Jan 10 Like or not Bluefest is right. We diddn't keep possession so kept on handing Derby the ball on a plate. The defence did ok but Hyam Anderson need to be replaced asap plus I'd move Chambers into his old position as he's not a right back. We can't have Smith on right side he looks uncomfortable and his delivery is poor. Also not happy about Mcg, he seemed mor einterested in getting eutace sent off and failed to make enough impact. Ok his skills are there but no end product os we need new striker on board

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Bluefish11 added 19:33 - Jan 10 The more possession you have, the less chance the opposition have of scoring. If we have 100%, then NO opposition can score. Unfortunately we gave the ball away too many times with the long punts when we had time to go forward with the ball or for the midfield to come and collect. Possesion, possesion, possesion, is the priority and that includes closing down quickly to win it back which we actually do very well. Giving it away too easy is the main reason we lost today. Bottom line is the season will be defined by the next 6 matches of which 4 are bottom 6 as of today... Hey folks we are 1 point off the top, best we have been for years. As the saying goes "Don't panic Mr Mannering..." just fix it for next week.

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Langdon_Blue added 19:51 - Jan 10 Other results went our way, not much has changed at the top, hoping for a positive response on BBC1 against a potential Champions League team and beat Millwall Saturday. Don't panic just yet, it's how the players respond and I for one think they'll bounce back quickly.
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blues1 added 19:54 - Jan 10 while many need to get some perspective on todays defeat, (we were always gonna lose a game at some point), I have to agree with many that hyam was awful today. and it had nothong to do with his match fitness. as always he always looking for a sideways or backwards pass, even when as in 2nd half he was well inside the opposition half, facing the derby goal an d he still turned to play the ball backwards. I also don't see where people think smith played well apart from the mistake he made for the goal. thought he was awful all game. and as for some of the criticism of Anderson on here? thought he did ok personally, but despite the below par performances from several players today I don't think ne1 should be totally slagging the team on 1 performance. lets get it into perspective guys. this is our 1st defeat in 13. whod have thought that possible before this season started? of course its frustrating, and makes next weeks game at millwall, almost a must win game but think we all have to cut the team some slack. its hardly a crisis is it guys. on to the next match and lets stay behind the lads, coyb

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are_these_the_days added 19:59 - Jan 10 Having played some reasonable football in recent games I don't know why we reverted to 'hoof-ball' today. Most times when the ball is whacked aimlessly upfield the opposition retain control & we're defending again. In a strong wind there's even more reason to play a passing game.
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julesbda added 20:06 - Jan 10 We were overrun in midfield , lacked anything different up front and the " wally with the brolly " did a number on us today ..He did his homework and it paid off . Shame Smith made the error but he has been excellent all season . Today showed we don't have a plan B up front and that's the main issue for the next 20+ games . If Murphy gets injured or has a goal drought then we have a major issue . We all knew we would lose one of these days soon and sadly it was today . We are still a decent team and are a top 6 team and top 2 contender and we must not for get that . We need to pick ourselves up and get back to winning .Other results went in our favour today so we need to get over this result and move on .

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Kirbmeister added 20:09 - Jan 10 For god's sake lighten up! That was only our second defeat since Norwich and, but for a mistake, it would have been 0-0 and we would be joint top, We all know our midfield never boss games and are very workmanlike. We had an off day. Don't start turning on some of the players. If Anderson isn't good enough why wasn't he slagged off last week or the week before? Oh that because we didn't lose. We are one point off the top.

6

Warkys_Tash added 20:09 - Jan 10 Durham Fan, spot on. To the rest, let's not start targeting players like Hyam. He didn't have a great game but neither did Mings, Chambers, Ando, etc, etc. having said that I thought with the chances we did create we were worth a draw. Let's get behind ALL the players, make PR a fortress on Wed night & help the team produce a cup upset!!
5

bellazzurri79 added 20:20 - Jan 10 This was a massive match and one of the biggest in the last 8 years and I'm afraid our midfield did not turn up. I am bewildered how Keogh, Buxton and Ardley are players that are stopping us from scoring.. Although McLaren did his homework on how to stop our forwards. The difference from this match compared to the one against a Derby last season was Jonny Williams who frightened the hell out of them and without his creativity we lacked the killer edge today. I urge McCarthy to contact Alan Pardew and get Williams back here quickly. I overheard a so called fab behind me today say 'this isn't the match I'm too fussed about losing, it's the ones against the lesser teams like Millwall and Brighton that we should worry about losing to' ... Some people make me laugh ... This was a massive massive match and 100% more important than Wednesdays 'sell out' against Southampton.

6

oddball added 20:23 - Jan 10 We are Gods :-)
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StowTractorBoy added 20:27 - Jan 10 WayWay you are way off. Sure Hyam is not a Will Hughes but not long ago Hyam was a hero on here and your comments are harsh in the extreme. True he was not at his best today but he was thrown in at the last minute and is only just back from injury. Also do you not realise that we have to adhere to FFP rules hence we are limited as to how much we can spend on players. You also state Marcus Evans has not dipped into his pocket well thank goodness he did otherwise we may have been in a different place now. Finally be very grateful for the owner and the Board we have, just take a look at Cardiff and be grateful.

1

jrc789 added 20:32 - Jan 10 bellazzuri79 - I agree 100%. With the rich vein of form Murph and Didz are in, I would have expected them to rip Keogh and Buxton apart. As for Eustace, we missed Williams directly running without fear at their back line, this is why I am lost for words as to where Stewart is as he made an immediate impact at Southampton away and could be Williams' replacement. As for the 'die hard' 28k turning up wednesday evening on a midweek school evening, i'm struggling to understand how only 20k could turn up on a weekend. Today we missed a big chance but the results favoured us elsewhere.

2

Cakeman added 20:51 - Jan 10 I must agree with you there jrc789, I was surprised and disappointed with 20 odd thousand. Appreciate it was on TV but none the less i expected around 24 thousand more than what turned up today. I also expected more Derby fans to make the trip.
2

LWNR2013 added 21:07 - Jan 10 We never look great right from KO. Loads of good thoughts on why this was the case already posted. IMO we missed Skuse, and Bish seemed to miss him.
1

Cakeman added 21:38 - Jan 10 I meant to say 24 thousand attendance in total. Sorry.
0

oldegold added 21:48 - Jan 10 I can take the minuses warktheline but the question is..can you?
0

warktheline added 21:57 - Jan 10 Oldegold, your the one moaning! I appreciate people like you.....win or lose, you have me chuckling all Saturday evening! Always remember, the glass is half full, not half empty,enjoying your evening.
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warktheline added 21:59 - Jan 10 Oldegold, PS, I've given you a plus, hope it helps!
1

oldegold added 22:10 - Jan 10 Let's be friends warkthe line,no? I will drink to your health and let's draw a line now.We all want the best for our club and we should allow others to express opinions which are contrary.Come on warktheline!I have never advocated MM being sacked,even after the Bournemouth last season debacle and the Derby defeat in August but my beef has always been how we play sometimes..it is not easy on the eye and today was a case in point.Had we played with more venom we would be top.Anyway, what's your tipple?

4

PJH added 22:24 - Jan 10 With the other results mostly going our way, although performance and result disappointing, this should only be a minor setback. In my view all expect Murphy,Berra and Anderson were below par today and despite that we might still got a point out of it. I have not yet seen the handball on tv but at the time I could not see why it was not a penalty. The important thing is how we react at Millwall and beyond.Another long unbeaten run would be nice.

3

cornishblu added 22:50 - Jan 10 ....it's simple...,we lost because I went....8 games 5 losses two draws and only one win...left at 5:15 this morning back at 8:30.........don't go to Brighton...I am!!!!COYB ( see blog....should I stair should I go)
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warktheline added 22:58 - Jan 10 Cornishblu, did you go to Brentford?
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Harlowtractorboy added 23:07 - Jan 10 I throught we had a off day the ref did not help us. Should of been a pen. But two losses since the scum game. I have a another 12 games with out a loss come on you town and still one point off the top
2

cornishblu added 23:18 - Jan 10 Warktheline....yes...the only win,,
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