Bristol City were denied back-to-back away wins for the first time since last November as a late Carlton Morris leveller cancelled out Scott Twine’s opener in a 1-1 draw at Pride Park on Friday evening.
Having started on the back foot in front of the Sky Sports cameras, Gerhard Struber’s side took the lead after 35 minutes as Twine struck his third of the campaign. A swift counter-attacking move that started with a Ross McCrorie throw-in on the halfway line ended with the attacking midfielder receiving a Mark Sykes pass on the edge of the penalty area, before rolling into the bottom right corner.
It looked like that goal alone would be enough for the Robins to secure all three points as they dealt with everything Derby threw their way for the next 50 minutes or so. However, after Radek Vitek produced a smart save to deny Joe Ward’s headed effort, Morris was on hand to squeeze home from close range to send the previously frustrated home crowd into celebration.
City came close to restoring their lead in stoppage time when Twine tried his luck with a late free-kick. The 26-year-old struck his effort well, but Jacob Zetterstrom somehow managed to claw the attempt away from danger to ensure the points were shared.
Struber’s side’s attention now turns back to the Carabao Cup, where they will face Fulham at Craven Cottage in the second round next week.
You can recap all the action, as it happened at Pride Park here...
Daniel Carter
The gaffer's thoughts
We have heard from Gerhard Struber who felt Bristol City suffered a "hit in the face" in tonight's game.
You can read more from the City boss as well as an update on Emil Riis HERE...
Daniel Carter
Player ratings have landed
It looked like Bristol City had done enough to secure an excellent away win, but a late leveller from Carlton Morris proved to be a real kick in the teeth.
You can read our player ratings HERE...
KEY EVENT
Full-time: Derby 1-1 Bristol City
The points are shared at Pride Park. City will feel incredibly frustrated to have let that slip and they could have won it late on had Zetterstrom not produced a brilliant save to deny Scott Twine.
We'll have reaction as it comes from here...
90+4Daniel Carter
Late City change
Hirakawa is on in place of Scott Twine.
90+3Daniel Carter
Foul on Dickie
Much to the fury of the home crowd, Morris is adjudged to have fouled Dickie and City are awarded a free-kick in their own half.
90+1Daniel Carter
Four minutes added on
Both sides will feel there is time in this one for a winner.
90Daniel Carter
WHAT A SAVE!
Wow. It is heading towards the top corner but somehow Zetterstrom gets across his line to claw it away from danger.
That looked to all the world like it was in.
89Daniel Carter
Twine has a free-kick
It is in shooting range.
87KEY EVENT
Goal: Derby 1-1 Bristol City [Morris]
The hosts have a leveller. Radek Vitek pulls off a great save to keep a header at the back post out but he can only push it into the path of Morris who stabs home. No-one is sure it has gone it but the referee looks at his watch and awards the goal.
86Daniel Carter
So good from Vyner again
Once again, the centre-back gets his body between the man and the ball to guide it behind for a goal kick. This has been a really mature defensive showing from Vyner.
83Daniel Carter
Vitek claims under pressure
Derby whip a cross towards the back post and City's stopper comes to collect with ease. He then kicks the ball straight into touch.
81Daniel Carter
Incredible from Vyner
That is some piece of defending. Derby knock a long pass down the right wing and Vyner beats his man to the ball and parks himself between his marker and it under plenty of pressure. He shields it out play before dodging it on the way down.
Top stuff.
79Daniel Carter
Morris heads wide
Derby swing a free-kick into the City box which Morris wins. Under pressure, the former Luton man heads wide and City have a goal kick.
78Daniel Carter
So close to a second!
That's the chance! Mehmeti breaks down the left and fires a low effort towards the back post. Someone is steaming in but they can't touch it home and a chance goes begging.
77Daniel Carter
All the way through
City get first contact at the near post but no-one is at the back post and the ball runs across the box and away from danger.
76Daniel Carter
Another City corner
Derby clear but only to the edge of the box before the ball is worked to Mehmeti. The winger then wins another corner.
75Daniel Carter
City corner
Twine's delivery is knocked behind for a corner...
75Daniel Carter
City free-kick
Well played Armstrong. The forward runs the channel, gets his body in the way and wins a free-kick by the byline on the right side of the penalty area.
73Daniel Carter
Bristol City change
Adam Randell's evening comes to an end with a top challenge in front of the press box. He is replaced by Max Bird who is greeted well by the home crowd.
72Daniel Carter
Vitek gathers
Derby whip a cross in from the right and it deflects off a City body. Before it can cause any trouble though, Vitek gathers to calm things down.
70Daniel Carter
Double Derby change
Batth and Ozoh are off with Jackson and and Goudmijn on in their place.
69Daniel Carter
Smart from Sykes
Derby swing a ball into the back post and Sykes is clever enough to chest it down, wait for contact and fall to the floor to win a free-kick. It may not be conventional, but that's brilliant defending.
65Daniel Carter
McCrorie fires wide
That would have been special. The corner is eventually cleared to the edge of the box where McCrorie tries his luck with a first time shot. It has the Derby goalkeeper scrambling but it ends up wide of the post.
65Daniel Carter
Armstrong forces save
A nice switch picks out the Irishman on the left side of the area. He brings it down well, opens up his body and forces a save low tgo the goalkeeper's left.
Seconds later, the Reds somehow get a corner.
64Daniel Carter
Handball goes City's way
Derby launch a long throw into the box and after a bit of pinball, Clarke picks up possession. As the ball bounces, it appears to hit the Rams' player's arm. The linesman waves his flag and the foul is given.
62Daniel Carter
Twine forces a block
A nice move ends with Twine setting himself on the edge of the penalty area. The number 10 tries his luck with a left footed effort from the edge of the box but it is blocked straight away and the Rams' keeper gathers moments later.
60Daniel Carter
Triple Derby change
Thompson, Nyambe and Weimann are off with Clarke, Ward and Brewster taking to the field for the Rams.
58Daniel Carter
City calming things down
The Robins are looking to calm things down here a little with a Ross McCrorie throw. So far, this first half has been rather franetic.
54Daniel Carter
Bristol City change
Emil Riis is off for Sinclair Armstrong. I'm not sure, but the forward didn't look to be moving right as he made his way off there.
51Daniel Carter
Foul given
The ball is swung in and after Derby make first contact, City are able to clear the second ball. Adams then attempts an overhead kick but misses the ball and to compound things, a foul is given City's way for a high foot.