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

gorse added 15:02 - Jan 10 Couldn't swear that was a penalty. Can swear Eustace should have been off in the first half, ref should have played advantage when we're on the ball in the box, and McG shouldn't have been booked!
1

chepstowblue added 15:03 - Jan 10 It was an abject performance,ok for the first 15 mins and huff and puff for the last 5 but lacking in guile. At 1-0 down we played as tho we were 1-0 up with 8 men behind the ball and giving it away whenever we passed it short. Its been evident for most of the season that we have a midfield who are better without the ball than with it and i agree with bluefeast that Hughes and Hyam are worlds apart in ability. We will continue to win games playing like this but when its bad its very difficult viewing. How Hyam stayed on for 90 was astonishing. Id have taken a point at the start and to be beaten by a rare defensive error only, shows we arent far away. Ive no doubt we will bounce back at Millwall.

-4

bluesince84 added 15:06 - Jan 10 was a game of tactics. Derby s entire season has been a game of pressing in the final third which is precisely what they done. As soon as we were in possession they had two men on us. Sideways Hyam is getting a lot of stick and SOME of it is deserved but i feel the culprit today was Anderson. Ran and Ran he did, but he must have had the most completed passes to a Derby player on the Pitch and was rightly taken off. Bru was more composed and unfortunately whereas our strikers and defense is a true promotion quality entity, our midfield is only a top ten group and it will show again before the season is up. However i wont complain as we have done so well and if i was told we would be third come jan i would have snapped your hands off and gobbled it down. Derby best we have played apart from Bournemouth but three potentially winnable games coming up. And i ve said it once and ill say it again, and again, and again, another mcgoldrick off day! Skilled,yes, quality yes, consistent absolutely not.

1

bluefeast added 15:07 - Jan 10 I see us drawing a few games over the coming weeks. Murphy was never going to continue his strike rate and will probably contribute 1 in 4 for the rest of the season. It needs players who are comfortable with the ball and an ability to read the game as well as the attributes we do offer week in week out. Tactically we should of had 3 in the middle today not 2 as our 2 could never get behind theres. I do feel like ranting about Hyam ,his attitude was terrible ,and if any one can suggest he did anything with the ball today or indeed without it please remind me as i am struggling to remember. I did however witness a player with the same colour hair as Hyam playing for Derby who was all over the pitch and didnt put a foot wrong and kept Derby on the front foot.

5

wilnis_barmy_army added 15:08 - Jan 10 Generally thought it was a poor match not helped by conditions! Would have brought parr on after the derby goal to add width from full backs as we were not getting this from wide men. But had you given us 9 points out of 12 from last 4 games then i would most certainly have taken it! Must look to dominate teams in our next 4 games and really have a go! Very winnable fixtures but as always in this division they will be tough!!

2

ArnieM added 15:16 - Jan 10 Hyam wasnt match fit and to be played from the start in such a key game was poor decision by MM imo. Midfield should have had Bru and Tabb or Bru and Hunt from the start. We also need another striker. The sign of a good team is what they do following defeat. We shall see .
7

Jimmy86 added 15:17 - Jan 10 Having had time to calm down a little bit I realise that whilst it's disappointing to lose, we have lost only twice in 22 games. We were poor today and not our usual selves. No pressing, and we didn't pick up the 2nd ball well enough. Hyam was poor on the ball today and didn't have the usual bite he adds to the midfield. Mings was playing with the brakes on and could improve his first touch some what. The ref was abysmal too. Stone wall pen in 2nd half. Disappointing, but we go again COYB

2

warwickblue added 15:23 - Jan 10 I'm just disappointed to be coming away from another game where some very poor refereeing decisions, added to by a hesitant though perfectly placed linesman for the penalty shout, could have influenced the outcome of the game. I know it's not MM's style to berate officials but I thought the ref today was very poor.
3

runaround added 15:24 - Jan 10 Think Derby had the dream away performance, they never let us get a real hold & were good on the ball. They also had the rub of the green with bounces of the ball & refereeing decisions going their way at vital times. Town seemed to be trying too hard at times & never got going. A long way to go but we need to get back on the winning trail at Millwall
2

blueboy1981 added 15:25 - Jan 10 ........ nothing more could we expect - midfield non existant and totally overan, never looked like doing the job from the off. How Hyam starts in a game like todays, I just don't know - we needed some creativity in that department today, and had non - until far too late in the game.
8

runningout added 15:26 - Jan 10 We didn't look like scoring' and Kick up the bum we needed... Tommy Smith's tumble looked so familiar... Come on Tommy, don't turn back time..
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DurhamTownFan added 15:27 - Jan 10 Not many seem to have noticed that Derby didn't pull up any trees either! If we'd have drawn or nicked it 1-0, it would have been a fair reflection on the game. Let's stay positive and remember why we are up there! Let's remember the great results at Brentford, or vs Middlesborough, and let's try and pass that optomism back to the players so they don't go hiding!

8

kuyski added 15:27 - Jan 10 6 Bialkowski-not too much works to do 5 Chambers–average as same before and pass was poor 5 Smith-solid but make a huge mistake 7 Berra-solid and can't defeat 7 Mings-solid and never give up to go forward 4 Anderson-not good enough for me 6 Bishop-quiet today 6 Hyam-ok but can't do anymore 7 Tabb-my best MF today and he deserved stayed on the field till to the end 6 Murphy-miss 2 chances but still dangerous 6 McGoldrick- want to forward in anytime Sub-not too many memories for them.

-3

Chicago_Blue added 15:29 - Jan 10 Yes we should have got the free kick and Eustace should have gone, when instead they got the free kick and Didzy got a yellow. Think the ref bottled it actually. Yes it was a penalty at 0.0. Yes it was a defensive howler. However, the thing that I'm most annoyed about - and I vented this on this website last night - is that pre-game all the talk seemed to be about Southampton tickets. THIS was the big game. NOT Wednesday. We have a chance to do something in the league and get promoted. It's one of those seasons that come up every now and then, and when the opportunity knocks, take it! 20,000 today - which okay isn't bad, but we had 26,000 against Charlton (albeit with a few more away fans). The £10 Southampton ticket thing put everyone's focus on that match and not this, and I think the club missed a trick there. It's not as if the club offered cheap tickets to counter the live BBC coverage, as it hadn't been announced then. Maybe the club should have ran a scheme whereby if you buy a Derby ticket in advance, then you are entitled to a £10 Southampton ticket. Seems the club were just quick to match the pricing Southampton did (but, erm, they can afford it, being a prem club). It just seemed to me that too many people were thinking about the cup replay when the bigger game was today. Not sure if this filtered down to the players, but certainly the fans.

2

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 15:30 - Jan 10 So now it's all up to how we go on from here. Derby are a top side in this division, but they created almost nothing. We had the slightly better chances (maybe) but we didn't create anything of note either. Missed a J Williams in midfield today. Not sure about the penalty: wouldn't say it was " stonewall" - more like 50-50. What is it about the Wally that irritates me so much? Finally, it may not be logical, but I can't hope for anything other than a defeat for the Budgies today.

4

TimmyH added 15:31 - Jan 10 Rather disappointing today as a performance but can't be too harsh on the lads as that's on 2 defeats in 22 games! Overall the game was pretty scrappy (partly down to the blustery conditions) and felt Derby passed and controlled the ball somewhat better than us and honestly thought we looked fairly inadequate in the final third but you have to give Derby some credit for that. Too many players under performing - Hyam, Bishop, Murphy and Anderson who has yet to impress me in any Town game I have seen. As mentioned it's all about how we bounce back after this in the league, Southampton FA Cup game not really bothered about but another loss at home could dent the players confidence somewhat.

3

bluefeast added 15:34 - Jan 10 Durham , your wrong in my opinion , the fact is strong squads win promotion , Bournmouth ,Derby , Middlesborough ,Watford and indeed Brentford are all strengthening. Mick says its hard to improve on what we have. Well we need a differnt ride midfielder of which there are 12 playing in the championship better than anderson. We need better central mid back up. You see our stle of play is big on energy as opposed to craft and guile. It therefore tires the players ,you could see half our side ran on empty from 15 mins onwards. Picking Hyam from the start was plain stupid in a two vs Derbys three. I could go on , but we need 2 or 3 players who offer an alternative when squad is tired. We need to freshen things up.

1

runningout added 15:36 - Jan 10 Derby did their homework, and deserved win... still no no team around to be bothered about. Bring on Southampton
-1

TractorBeezer added 15:43 - Jan 10 Have to admit that overall Derby were the better team today. We did not control the midfield or get a passing game going. Having said that Eustace should have seen red in the first half, we should have had a free kick when McGoldrick was tripped (instead of vice versa) and most referees would have awarded a penalty to us for handball. Lots of games left to resume business as usual!

2

TractorBeezer added 15:43 - Jan 10 Have to admit that overall Derby were the better team today. We did not control the midfield or get a passing game going. Having said that Eustace should have seen red in the first half, we should have had a free kick when McGoldrick was tripped (instead of vice versa) and most referees would have awarded a penalty to us for handball. Lots of games left to resume business as usual!

1

StochesStotasBlewe added 15:44 - Jan 10 Shame but I suppose it had to end sometime. Fair play to Derby, they were better than us on the day. We badly missed Skuse today, he has more composure than Hyam who,s passing was poor, but too many players had off days. The reaction to this defeat will be the defining factor for me as to how our season progresses, we have a no pressure cup tie to look forward to now, then the real nitty gritty games against struggling sides who on paper we should win, but will be very tough. Well done to the Fortuna fans who made plenty of noise.

4

phillo added 15:50 - Jan 10 bluefest that is a ridiculous post about Hyam ! Agree Hughes is better at the moment but the rest of your post I appalling. Get some perspective ......
0

jas0999 added 15:58 - Jan 10 Disappointing result. We were always going to lose a game though, just a shame it was this one. Performance was okay and it was evenly matched. But I felt they edged the midfield. Our hard working midfield has done very well this season, but felt they just lacked what was required against a better team. Hyam was poor, whilst Tabb looked out of his depth. The latter was rightly subbed. I still feel we lack the necessary goals in midfield which is needed if automatic promotion is to be a reality. Front two played well, but as Noel Hunt seems to be a winger, the lack of options is a real worry, particularly with suspensions and injuries likely. I have to say I was concerned when Murphy pulled something in the second half. We shouldn't be too harsh on Smith, he has been excellent, but it was a terrible error for their goal. Still plenty of the season left, but with other teams strengthening their squads, I hope ME allows Mick to make a couple of additions. The midfield not quite good enough today.

5

oldegold added 15:59 - Jan 10 Thought we were stinking awful today and did not play like a team that was challenging for the top spot.These games tend to show the poverty of MM's tactics and evidences how every time we have the chance to pull way we resort to giving the initiative to others.We played with a very limited attacking plan and too often resorted to just hoofing up.Time and time again we get caught out and today was a bad day at the office.How could we flourish with two lone strikers and Anderson as the fulcrum? Why play such a limited player and keep more attack minded midfielders like Ambrose on the bench is beyond me.

-2

NoelTheDub added 16:26 - Jan 10 Im not going to be to harsh on the lads as the type of game we play and the amount of matches over the last few weeks I think caught up with us.I believe Ambrose and maybe Parr could have started today as Tabb was sick the day before and Luke was poor during the game.I also saw Hoof Ball creep back in to our game today maybe tiredness was a factor in that and there was nothing for our strikers to feed from. Look we have been fantastic all season and had a day off so hopefully we can take it out on the Saints come Wed...

2

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