{"id":556672,"date":"2020-07-04T07:26:51","date_gmt":"2020-07-04T11:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=556672"},"modified":"2020-07-04T10:49:43","modified_gmt":"2020-07-04T14:49:43","slug":"late-chris-martin-goal-rescues-derby-county-point-against-nottingham-forest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/07\/04\/late-chris-martin-goal-rescues-derby-county-point-against-nottingham-forest\/","title":{"rendered":"Late Chris Martin Goal Rescues Derby County Point Against Nottingham Forest"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nottingham Forest<\/a> were denied at the death of a third-straight East Midlands derby win as they drew 1-1 with Derby County<\/a> at Pride Park.<\/p>\n

Late Chris Martin Goal Rescues Derby County Point Against Nottingham Forest<\/h2>\n

Derby County 1-1 Nottingham Forest<\/h3>\n

Joe Lolley’s<\/a> long-range strike early on was cancelled out in the 96th minute by a Chris Martin<\/a> header that was scrambled across the line.<\/p>\n

Forest dominated for much of the match before their local rivals denied them of an important three points with seconds to play.<\/p>\n

Prior to the pandemonium, Martyn Waghorn<\/a> was sent off in injury time for a late challenge on midfielder Ryan Yates<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The result sees Nottingham Forest stay fourth whilst Derby go level on points with sixth-placed Cardiff City<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Forest off to a Flyer<\/h3>\n

Derby made two changes from the side that narrowly beat Preston North End<\/a> on Wednesday, recalling Chris Martin and Craig Forsyth<\/a> to the starting line-up; whilst Sabri Lamouchi brought back both Samba Sow<\/a> and Nuno da Costa<\/a> into the side.<\/p>\n

It was a confident start from the visitors, biding their time well before pouncing on any Derby mistake.<\/p>\n

However, it was when Forest moved the ball well in the final third that they found success.<\/p>\n

Joe Lolley hit a swerving drive past Ben Hamer<\/a> from at least 25 yards out to give the Reds the lead after just 11 minutes.<\/p>\n

The forward had far too much time to hit a sweet strike that gave the keeper little chance.<\/p>\n

Forest have the fourth-best defensive record in the league and their discipline was evident.<\/p>\n

Both Samba Sow and Ryan Yates hardly gave Wayne Rooney<\/a> the chance to look up and pass.<\/p>\n

Derby’s start was epitomised by a Rooney free-kick from deep that flew straight out for a goal-kick after 17 minutes.<\/p>\n

There were glimpses of the Rams’ potential going forward. A long ball knocked down by Chris Martin into the path of Louie Sibley<\/a> could only fly wide.<\/p>\n

The hosts threatened again moments later too. A long throw-in from Duane Holmes<\/a> wasn’t dealt with by Forest but Sibley’s shot couldn’t break through the crowded box.<\/p>\n

Phillip Cocu’s side began to show more as the half progressed.<\/p>\n

Just before the break Derby’s youngsters combined to create a promising opportunity.<\/p>\n

Sibley teed up Max Bird<\/a> on the edge of the box but the 19-year-old couldn’t get a shot off and was soon surrounded by red shirts.<\/p>\n

Derby Struggle to Break Down Rivals<\/h3>\n

It came as no surprise that Derby were brighter after the restart. The hosts began to produce passes that were breaking the rigid defensive lines of their rivals.<\/p>\n

The arrival of Martyn Waghorn and Florian Jozefzoon<\/a> onto the field added a spring to the step of Cocu’s side.<\/p>\n

Yet, for all of the Rams’ possession, they scarcely threatened Brice Samba’s<\/a> goal.<\/p>\n

Sloppy play at the back allowed Forest to test Hamer once more just after the hour-mark.<\/p>\n

Ben Watson<\/a> struck a sweet volley from outside the box forcing a strong save from the keeper; moments later and Lolley almost copied his goal only for Hamer to get down well.<\/p>\n

Forest nearly settled the tie when Tiago Silva<\/a> curled a shot onto the post from the edge of the box.<\/p>\n

Derby then went close to levelling the scores after Martin pounced on a loose ball but hit a tame shot into Samba’s gloves.<\/p>\n

Both Lewis Grabban<\/a> and Alex Mighten<\/a> wasted golden opportunities to seal the win for the Reds in the late stages.<\/p>\n

Derby continued to press the red wall protecting Samba’s goal but they couldn’t produce any chances from open play.<\/p>\n

The Rams’ afternoon looked to be going from bad to worse when Martyn Waghorn was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Ryan Yates.<\/p>\n

Darren England had no choice but to send the ex-Rangers striker for an early bath.<\/p>\n

Yet with just a minute left on the clock, Derby somehow broke their rival’s disciplined defence.<\/p>\n

Joe Worrall<\/a> made an unnecessary foul on Morgan Whittaker<\/a> and the Nottingham-local was left rueing his mistake as the hosts capitalised on the set-piece.<\/p>\n

Brice Samba was left in no man’s land when he failed to collect the free-kick and Martin managed to head the ball over the line in the goalmouth scramble that followed.<\/p>\n

Martin’s ninth goal of the season keeps the Rams in contention for a shock play-off spot.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>