Match ends, Derby County 2, Birmingham City 2.
DerbyDerby County2BirminghamBirmingham City2
Clayton Donaldson scored a dramatic equaliser for Birmingham City as they fought back with two late goals at Derby County.
Jamie Ward broke the deadlock for the hosts after Johnny Russell's effort was palmed away by Darren Randolph.
Thomas Ince gave Derby a two-goal cushion soon after the break when he was released into the box by Russell.
Paul Caddis scored from the spot after Robert Tesche was felled and Donaldson found a leveller deep into added time.
The result means that the top four in the Championship table all have 66 points and are separated by goal difference whilst Birmingham lie in 14th place.
Smart play from Derby allowed Ince to try his luck from range inside the opening 10 minutes but Jonathan Spector deflected his shot.
Derby went ahead early in the first half when Russell unleashed a shot that was parried by Randolph and Ward was on hand to tap home.
Blues fought back when David Cotterill whipped in a free-kick towards Andrew Shinnie but Grant easily saved.
The hosts came close to going two up but Will Hughes's powerful effort from long-range crashed against the crossbar.
Ince doubled Derby's lead just after the restart after cutting inside the box from Russell's through-ball and fired low past Randolph.
| Derby's lack of form | |
|---|---|
| After Middlesbrough lost to Nottingham Forest and Watford drew against Wolves, Derby County could have been two points clear at the top of the Championship table had they not conceded Donaldson's 95th minute equaliser. | |
| Steve McClaren's side have now taken just a point from their last three matches, conceding six goals in the process. | |
The Rams nearly found a third when Jeff Hendrick's cross was met by Russell whose shot was cleared off the line.
Cotterill almost got Blues back in it through his long-range free kick which troubled Grant but went just wide.
But it was a dramatic final few minutes as Caddis sealed Birmingham's first from the spot after Tesche was brought down by Ince.
The visitors were level deep into added time when Wes Thomas lifted the ball for Donaldson to nod past Grant.
It was a match Derby dominated until the final stages and had they won, they would have returned to the top of the Championship table with a two-point lead over Bournemouth.
Derby manager Steve McClaren: "I think it was a double mugging.
"It's a freak result but we can't blame anybody. The game is 95 minutes not 91, 92 and you have to see it through.
"When you are 2-0 up with two minutes to go you should see the game through but we didn't and there's a lot of anger going around."
Birmingham manager Gary Rowett: "Whether we deserved it or not is not really relevant. The fact is we've kept going and kept believing and trying to get something out of the game.
"As we all know, until the game is all over it's not over. But I'm sure if you are a Derby fan or player you will be hugely disappointed you haven't won."
Line-ups
Derby
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Grant
- 2ChristieBooked at 90mins
- 6Keogh
- 36Albentosa
- 3ForsythBooked at 90mins
- 8Hendrick
- 33Mascarell
- 19HughesSubstituted forBrysonat 80'minutes
- 23InceBooked at 90mins
- 11RussellSubstituted forDawkinsat 83'minutes
- 10WardSubstituted forLingardat 74'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Bryson
- 5Buxton
- 7Dawkins
- 16Lingard
- 21Roos
- 29Thomas
- 32Shotton
Birmingham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Randolph
- 31Caddis
- 23Spector
- 15Kiernan
- 3Grounds
- 13Tesche
- 26Davis
- 11CotterillBooked at 39mins
- 22ShinnieSubstituted forThomasat 64'minutes
- 40DyerBooked at 50minsSubstituted forGrayat 74'minutes
- 12NovakSubstituted forDonaldsonat 64'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Robinson
- 9Donaldson
- 10Thomas
- 17Reilly
- 19Zigic
- 21Doyle
- 33Gray
- Referee:
- Iain Williamson
- Attendance:
- 31,522
Match Stats
Home TeamDerbyAway TeamBirmingham
- Possession
- Home58%
- Away42%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away3
- Corners
- Home8
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home19
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Derby County 2, Birmingham City 2.
Booking
Cyrus Christie (Derby County) is shown the yellow card.
Goal!
Goal! Derby County 2, Birmingham City 2. Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham City) with an attempt from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Rob Kiernan following a corner.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Rob Kiernan (Birmingham City) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Wes Thomas.
Post update
Corner, Birmingham City. Conceded by Lee Grant.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rob Kiernan with a headed pass.
Booking
Craig Forsyth (Derby County) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Craig Forsyth (Derby County).
Post update
Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Goal!
Goal! Derby County 2, Birmingham City 1. Paul Caddis (Birmingham City) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
Booking
Tom Ince (Derby County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Penalty conceded by Tom Ince (Derby County) after a foul in the penalty area.
Post update
Penalty Birmingham City. Robert Tesche draws a foul in the penalty area.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Demarai Gray (Birmingham City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Wes Thomas.
Post update
Raúl Albentosa (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham City).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jeff Hendrick (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Tom Ince.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jesse Lingard (Derby County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Richard Keogh (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
