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

Hegansheroes added 23:44 - Jan 10 Time to put Taylor and Wordsworth in the midfield. moight give us some options.
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blues1 added 07:01 - Jan 11 hegansheries. what a pointless post. mm has already made it clear that neither of them will ever play for us again. and besides, if they were that good how come neither of them could even get into the Rotherham side?
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warktheline added 08:07 - Jan 11 Cornishblue there you go, no jinks, just very unlucky.
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warktheline added 08:44 - Jan 11 Poor game, teams separated by bad mistake from a HOOF ball! Both teams failed to entertain. Results have gone our way. Demoralised Millwall up next, perfect game to bounce back. Unlike last season, this campaign we are a match for any team in top 6. Life's grand, for many ipswich supporters at present. Phil and Gav need the odd blip, post go from 3 pages, to 6-7 pages!

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Hegansheroes added 09:09 - Jan 11 blue1 do you have a sense of humour???
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bluelady added 09:16 - Jan 11 I hope the skuse knockers can now see why he is do important, missed his composure and ability to take the ball from defence rather than us resorting to hoof ball. A bad day at office all round, had to come sometime - move on!
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PJH added 09:41 - Jan 11 Agree bluelady. The league table still makes good reading. No need to dwell on one bad day when we can expect many more good days ahead. Looking forward to getting back on track at Millwall.
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blue_moon09 added 10:17 - Jan 11 Funny the negative idiots return slating the team after a rare defeat, poor game yesterday but other results haven't hurt town so why panic Crowd was poor yesterday were the part time fans saving there money for Wednesday? pathetic..
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stevelincsexile added 12:36 - Jan 11 blue moon09 are you going to pay for us fans who live 160 and more miles away to travel down twice in 5 days and to take time off work?
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Razor added 12:56 - Jan 11 KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON! Poor game today in difficult conditions and 0-0 would have been right result. I thought the keeper could have helped -Tommy a bit more, he is control of the situation and the ball is coming towards him, bit like last week. Really missed Skuse and passing all over pitch sloppy and poor. Also think we need pepping up and it is now or never for our mythical owner, MM deserves some money to spend on QUALITY players,new young striker and midfielder who can pass the ball and open up defences------otherwise all our dreams could be ruined.

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RUGGS68 added 14:11 - Jan 11 Can't believe some of the negative comments. Yes, we were poor yesterday, Hyam was poor, but by no means was he the only one. Town have been magnificent these last few months. If you'd have told me that we'd be third and only one point off top spot come January I'd have bitten your hand off. It will be interesting how we respond to this rare defeat come Wednesday and more importantly next Saturday. COYB!

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blueherts added 15:39 - Jan 11 I love it !! One defeat and all the 'negative' 'player bashers' come on !! Why compare Hyam to Hughes - stupid A more rational and better argument would be to compare their midfield with ours Hendrick Eustace Hughes had better games than ours Hyam gets slated - why ? he didnt have his best game but he was not alone We have had a tough run of fixtures over past 3 weeks We have used the smallest number of players and have , probably , one of the smallest squads in the top 6 - certainly the cheapest ! Hyam played at Southampton away - Derby had Rochdale at home Lets compare those two games shall we ? MM and TC have exceeded everybodys expectations on here - I am sure Top 3 team in January - few I guess would have imagained Yet 'fans' come on here after ONE defeat against one of the strongest teams outside the premiership , and doom sets in Think people have to step back abit Take a deep breath and lets focus on Millwall and Brighton We know where we 'lack' against the top teams We have defence and a strike force to match them all - our midfield does not have the depth or ability of other top teams - Hey just a week ago we matched a top 4 prem team with one of the countries best midfielders and nobody slated Hyam etc then I am sure MM and TC will add a midfielder and a striker Keep yer powder dry till end of the month Oh and keep yer toys in yer pram as well Just think back over the past 5 plus years to some of the dross we have been served up Where would you rather be COYB

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ChrisFelix added 15:51 - Jan 11 Its simple we were never going to win this game. One mistake was the difference & on another day the penalty would have been given & one of those chances would have gone in. Also Eustace would have gone off earlier. The high lights on Football league certainly showed us as the better team., Which really wasnt the case I know that Hyam & Bishop appeared light weight & i would have started with Bru. But i believe in Mick McCarthy & whats the odds that next Saturday evening we are sitting at the top of the tree. Also didnt Look Norfolk excell themselves ion Friday. The Budgies get 5 minuites , the Town 10 seconds. God knows what time they will get onh Monday evening

1

skinnyman27 added 15:58 - Jan 11 i must have been watching another game, was hyam really that poor? i had never even thought that until reading comments on here.
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warktheline added 17:39 - Jan 11 Apart from the odd silly post, most have been balanced personal perceptions of game, nowt wrong with that, and long may it continue. Always easier to pick a team after a game, and no doubt Mick will analyse the performance and let individuals know their rights and wrongs in play. Personally I thought we were heading for a game like this, sooner rather than later. If you look at our 3 nil over Charlton, they had numerous chances throughout game, but failed to capitalise on them. Derby, b'mouth, Brentford etc have faced set backs and moved on, I have no doubt, we will do the same. We are a different team to last season, and most acknowledge, extremely hard to beat. Bring on Millwall, and if we don't overcome Southampton, for sure, it's no crisis. Here's to another long unbeaten run. Cheers Mick and the boys!

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budgieplucker added 19:22 - Jan 11 Well said Bluehearts. Hyam has proven he can perform at this level. Mick will not always get it right - we were out gunned in midfield yesterday. The extended highlight on FL show actually showed "all Town" and those who wasn't there could be excused to think it was a smash ang grab for Derby. My only other comments are that Kevin Bru looks the most complete midfield player we have at the club, Can press the game high, break up play, excellant passer of the ball and intelligent footballer. My worry is that on a one year deal he may decide to go and ply his trade elsewhere next season if he isn't given a fair crack at the whip.

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Bergholtblue added 19:29 - Jan 11 Lets not get too carried away here. We got the tactics wrong plain and simple. They put 5 in midfield and they overwhelmed Hyam and Bishop, two youngsters learning their trade. As a result Tabb was sucked inside and offered no width down the left. I didn't think Hyam had a bad game. He just had no support. Those who want to see Bru and Bishop in midfield will soon see how weak our back line can look when they get no protection. Chambers was disappointing he gave the ball away more times that game than he has done all season. Murphy was well marked and when that happens it makes him look disinterested and slow. Anderson was another who contributed little. But credit to Derby and McLaren. He set his stall out to make the game physical and got in our faces. The hoof ball was our only option at times, which if rather ironical when you realise that their goal came from a mighty hoof from their right back . Its a set back but the best teams learn and respond to such a defeat. How we respond will determine how good we are.

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Surco72 added 20:10 - Jan 11 Let's not beat ourselves ,MM or the players up too much , this game could easily have gone either way especially had a few decisions gone our way . The two styles were very different between the teams but I feel Derby will drop more points than us for the rest of the season . What we need is a new face through the door to boost the squad for the run in with some creativity or goals as stated before if Dids and Murphy start having a bad patch we are a good defence with few goals on us. We must strengthen if we are too stay challenging because all around us will

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wayway added 20:27 - Jan 11 Surely Stow tractor boy you actually have to spend money to be judged for FFP. When did we last spend money on a player?
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bellazzurri79 added 21:59 - Jan 11 Mick give Pardew a call and get jonny boy down here quick ... We need him to bolster our midfield options.... He wasn't even in the Palace 18 yesterday... Next week against Millwall is massive, let's hope the boys will be up for it! In MM and TC we trust...
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