Derby 1-1 Cardiff

Nigel Clough named an unchanged side for the visit of table topping Cardiff. The only change to the match day squad was the return of Ben Davies to the bench in place of Mason Bennett.

It was a game that Derby dominated possession and yet time and time again were unable to convert into goals.

Despite Derby starting the quicker of the two sides, it was the visitors who took the lead. Peter Whittingham crossed the ball into the box which was met by Hudson. Legzdins could only tip the ball onto the bar and Helgusson had an easy close range header find the net.

Both Jacobs and Coutts had attempts at the other end, but to the frustration of the home side they fell well short of hitting the target.

The first half then fizzled out with The Rams trailing by 1-0.

Derby started the second half in top gear and immediately went on the attack. Jacobs and Sammon were continually proving to be a menace to Cardiff's defence.

Down the right there was some nice link up play involving Coutts and Brayford, but although Derby were seeing more of the ball, every attempt on goal was getting blocked in a crowded penalty area.

Cardiff were reduced to ten men in the 63rd after Craig Noone received his second yellow card in three minutes after he fouled O'Connor.

The Rams continued to pile on the pressure and were rewarded after 69 minutes when Bryson crossed from the left and Robinson had the simple task of tapping in from close range.

Try as they might, Derby just couldn't find a winning goal. Brayford saw a shot brilliantly saved and the Tyson saw a header, headed off the line.

A game Derby should of won, but the positives taken from this game was the fact that again the team showed that they can compete with the top teams in the division.

Saturday sees an awkward looking short trip to Leicester. Can The Rams get their first ever victory at the at the King Power Stadium?

Derby County: Legzdins, Brayford, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts (O’Connor 27); Coutts, Bryson, Hughes, Jacobs (Tyson 67); Robinson (Hendrick 82), Sammon.

Subs: Fielding, Freeman, O'Brien, Davies.

Cardiff City: Marshall, Connolly, Hudson, Nugent, Ralls, Bo-Kung, Whittingham, Gunnarsson (Conway 73), Noone, Bellamy (Mutch 70), Helguson (Mason 79).

Subs: Parish, Kiss, Gestede, John.

Man of the Match - John Brayford

Attendance: 20,911 (777 Visiting Supporters).