DERBY COUNTY 2-2 COVENTRY CITY BY KEV MONKS
Team
Westwood, Keogh, Cranie, Cameron, Hussey, Clingan, McSheffrry (Baker 88), Gunnarsson, Bell, King, Jutkiewicz (Platt 92). SNU Quirke, O'Halloran, Deegan, McIndoe, O'Donovan.
Derby
Jones, Leacock (Anderson 72), Ayala, Barker, Brayford, B. Davies, Savage, Bailey (Adison 90), Ward, Bueno (Robinson 59), S. Davies. SNU Atkins, Pringle, Pearson, Porter.
HT DCFC 2-2 CCFC FT DCFC 2-2 CCFC ATT 25,546
Goals Aron Gunnarsson (15), Marlon King (38), Steve Davies (40), Robbie Savage (44 pen)
Referee R. Booth Booked None
Man Of The Match - Chris Hussey took the votes in our car
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Coventry City were two goals up but had to settle for the point most of us would have taken beforehand at Derby County.
There was 955 City supporters who made the short trip up the M1 to see if City could beat a Midlands team away after beating a Southern team at home for only the 14th time in the club's history.
On what was the best day weather wise in 2011, the City support saw a City side, playing in their home kit, that was without Jordan Clarke and Freddy Eastwood, both injured in last week's win over Watford.
Nathan Cameron and Lukas Jutkiewicz came and were involved straight from the kick off as the team attacked the end which has a new Starbucks on it.
Jutkiewicz had two good chances in the opening two minutes as the good football that Andy Thorn has got City playing continued.
Gary McSheffrey, who had been ill all week, went close with a good run and shot before his 12th minute shot was deflected for a corner.
In the 14th minute, City won a corner. The ball came over and there was ARON GUNNARSSON to get in an overhead kick header to send the ball into the net.
"Sacked In the Morning" sang the City fans at Nigel Clough who was stood in his technical area, looking at the City players with the caretaker manager.
Marlon King was proving a handful and he got a shot which had to be hacked away in the 19th minute.
King, Jutkiewicz, McSheffrey along with the midfield and the attacking full backs of Richard Keogh and Chris Hussey kept working hard and passing well.
They limited Derby to two chances, the first saw Bueno fire at Westwood and the second saw former Sky Blue Dean Leacock send the ball onto the roof of the net.
In the 38th minute, City attacked down the right through David Bel and then Richard Keogh. He hit a shot which Jones in the home goal flapped at and at the second attempt, MARLON KING scored from twelve yards.
The City fans were still celebrating as on the pitch, the Sky Blues embarked on five minutes of madness.
Derby got a free kick on the left and STEVE DAVIES was left unmarked to get a 40th minute header which flew in past Westwood diving to his left.
More madness was to come just before half time when Hussey gave the ball to Marlon King in his own penalty area. King lost control and pushed the ball forward. As he did so. Ward dived over his leg and referee Mr Booth who was on the opposite side awarded a penalty.
ROBBIE SAVAGE, whose legs have gone and was strolling round the pitch, scored from the resulting spot kick and got even more abuse from the City fans than he had already.
With two sides shaky at the back, we were forecasting more goals to come in the second half.
Bueno had a couple of efforts as the second half restarted and Jutkiewicz and a King run and shot followed before a Keogh header from a 64th minute corner was headed off the line by Ben Davies.
The Derby fans tried to do a Mexican Wave after substitute Theo Robinson had fired wide with a twenty yarder when left unattended.
Bell fired over and Jutkiewicz hit the side netting before an 80th minute Jones flap saw the ball fall for King to loft towards the goal. Unfortunately, Barker was a yard off the line and headed away.
Carl Baker and Clive Platt came on as City took a point when like those who had backed Ballabriggs in the Grand National, they should celebrating a victory.
Pictures copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/KM