Town skipper Matt Holland scored with what could be his last touch for the Blues to complete a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Derby at Pride Park. The season looked to be coming to a disappointing end when a deflected Rob Lee cross put Derby ahead but goals from Couñago, Darren Bent, Magilton and late on Holland gave the three points to the Blues.

Joe Royle surprised everyone, including Derby manager George Burley, by lining his side up 4-3-3 with both Bents and Pablo Couñago up front. Martijn Reuser dropped to the bench along with Jermaine Wright and youngsters Antonio Murray, Aidan Collins and goalkeeper Lewis Price.

As usual on the last day of the season there was a fair smattering of Town fans in fancy dress on a very summery afternoon, including the now obligatory Pink Panther, a large black cat and a nun. In the early stages of the game former Town boss George Burley was asked to give the Town following a wave, the Scot obliging cheerily.

On the pitch the action was end to end with Jim Magilton coming close to opening the scoring at the wrong end in the first minute. A Tommy Mooney low cross was blocked by Thomas Gaardsøe who only succeeded in playing the ball off Magilton and over the bar.

Darren Bent had an early chance at the correct end when he ran on to a Pablo Couñago ball forward but, with a number of defenders around him, he failed to take the ball down before keeper Andy Oakes claimed.

Fabrizio Ravanelli and Chris Makin were at loggerheads on 13 when the Italian appeared to take a dive after a challenge from the Town defender. Makin was clearly not pleased and made his feelings known. To the amusement of Town's supporters Ravanelli mis-hit his freekick well wide and ended up on his backside.

Jim Magilton played through Darren Bent on 19 but Paul Ritchie got across to prevent the young striker getting in his shot. Shortly after Tommy Miller latched on to a Darren Bent knockdown but hit his strike wide.

Both sides had had chances in an open and entertaining game and it was no surprise when in the 22nd minute a goal finally came. Chris Makin tried to bring the ball out of defence and attempted a one-two with Jim Magilton, but lost possession. The ball ran wide to the right to Lee who took the ball on and sent in a cross which caught Matt Richards and looped over the wrong-footed Andy Marshall and in off the far post.

Town quickly tried to hit back, Couñago escaping down the right and sending in a low ball for Jim Magilton. The Northern Irishman's shot was blocked as was Tommy Miller's subsequent effort, and the ball was cleared.

On 31 Town were back on terms, Couñago chasing a long pass down the right, cutting in and hitting a deflected effort past Oakes and into the net for his 20th goal of the season.

The Derby fans, fairly vocal after going ahead, went silent and would remain so for the remainder of the game as Town started to take control, although not before Craig Burley had hit a low shot across the face of goal and narrowly past the post.

Town went ahead in the 36th minute. Fabian Wilnis played a ball down the right for Tommy Miller to chase. The midfielder made it and sent in a low cross which Darren Bent took past a defender before finishing clinically from a few yards.

Town were well and truly on top by now and before the break they went further ahead. With five minutes remaining, Marcus Bent was tripped just outside the area on the left of goal. Martijn Reuser was not on the field, so Matt Holland and Jim Magilton were the men shaping to take the kick. Magilton got the nod and curled the ball round the wall and into the net, Oakes not even moving.

With a carnival atmosphere prevailing, the Town fans called for George Burley to ‘sort it out', referencing all too many games from earlier in the season. Just before half-time Richard Jackson hit a shot just wide of goal from the right of the penalty area.

The break saw a good-natured penalty shoot-out between Town and County supporting kids being roared on from the terraces.

In the opening exchanges of the second period Darren Bent went close from a Magilton freekick on the left which fell to him inside the area. The youngster's shot was blocked, the clearance almost falling for Fabian Wilnis but not quite.

On the hour Joe Royle replaced Marcus Bent with Martijn Reuser, the Dutchman going into a four-man midfield.

In the 65th minute Town could have had a penalty when Paul Boertien appeared very obviously to handle the ball inside the area on the byline. Pablo Couñago had made run down the right before cutting in and crossing low. The ball was cleared by a defender straight at the grounded Boertien and striking his hand. Despite Town protests referee Rejer was unimpressed.

Martijn Reuser had looked bright since coming on, and in the 69th minute he hit a 30-yarder which went by Oakes' post. At the other end Mooney blasted a Ravenelli knockdown well over the bar.

On 72 the Blues had another call for a penalty when Fabian Wilnis played in Darren Bent on the right. Bent went between Boertien and Oakes, the pair bringing him to ground when he had little left to do but stroke the ball home. Again Mr Rejer was unimpressed.

Bent made way on 73 for 16-year-old Aidan Collins, the defender becoming the first schoolboy to represent the Town first team since Jason Dozzell back in 1984. Collins went to centre-half, Makin to left-back, Richards to left midfield and Reuser up front with Couñago.

There was a scare for Thomas Gaardsøe on 80 when he almost gifted a goal to Izale McLeod after he slipped on the edge of the area leaving the striker with only Marshall to beat. McLeod tried to slip the ball over the keeper but Marshall stuck out a hand to save well.

McLeod again went close two minutes later, his 18-yard shot hitting the post, Aidan Collins reacting quickest to the rebound.

Town had largely seen the game out in the second half and had long periods of possession. In injury time they added the fourth, Couñago bringing the ball down the right, playing it inside to Reuser who laid off to Holland, the skipper hitting a low shot into the net with what could well be his last touch for Town.

The game ended shortly afterwards, Town finishing a disappointing season seventh, one place above Norwich, perhaps the only consolation to take from the year. After the whistle, with Town supporters in the main singing in tribute to Holland, many of the players came over to applaud the fans.

Marcus Bent, Pablo Couñago, Chris Makin and Andy Marshall threw their shirts into the stand, Couñago adding his vest and Marshall his gloves. Holland applauded the fans all the way back to the tunnel while Fabian Wilnis appeared to have become lost in the crowd and ended up dressed only in his shorts.

A fine performance and a cheerful end to a season that most fans will want forget. Now for a summer of transfer activity with the likelihood of a 2003/04 squad which will be shorn of its captain and probably one or two others, but may have the addition of a number of new faces, including today's debutants Collins and Murray as well as other youngsters. The events of the summer will dictate how likely a successful Premiership challenge might be.

Town: Marshall, Wilnis, Richards, Gaardsøe, Makin, Holland, Magilton, Miller (Murray 80), D Bent (Collins 73), M Bent (Reuser 60), Couñago.

Photo: Action Images

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