Source: Daily_Mail
Derby 1 Barnsley 1: Rams battle to point but miss out on moving into top spot
Steve Davies came to the rescue on a night when it looked like Derby would never find a way past Barnsley's Steele shutter. [LNB]Goalkeeper Luke Steele kept the draw specialists in it with a successionof top saves after Jacob Butterfield's first-half goal. [LNB]However Steele could not work miracles and Davies equalised from the penalty spot after namesake Ben was fouled by Bobby Hassell on the hour.[LNB]Given Derby's fight against relegation last season, neutrals might be surprised at their lofty position in the table but Nigel Clough's three-yearplan was supposed to work like this. [LNB] Relief: Steve Davies bags Derby's equaliser with a penalty after a night of frustration for Nigel Clough's side[LNB] [LNB]MATCH FACTSDerby: Fielding, Brayford, O'Brien, Shackell, Roberts (Anderson 16), Ben Davies, Bryson, Hendrick, Ward, Steve Davies, Robinson (Cywka 90). Subs not used: Legzdins, Croft, Maguire.[LNB]Scored: S Davies (pen) 62[LNB]Booked: Robinson[LNB]Barnsley: Steele, Hassell, McNulty, Foster, McEveley (Wiseman 38), O'Brien, Perkins (Digby 33), Drinkwater, Vaz Te (Rose 77), Butterfield, Gray. Subs not used: Preece, Clark.[LNB]Scored: Butterfield 35[LNB]Booked: Drinkwater [LNB]Referee: Nigel Miller.[LNB]Click for the latest Championship table, fixtures and results[LNB]The fans have generally been steadfast with their support through the rocky times and are now finally enjoying the ride following the team's best start to a campaign for 40 years when Brian Clough was in charge. [LNB]Like father, like son, even down to the suggestion that Clough Jnr may be hovering on the edge of NottinghamForest's radar should the fractious partnership with Steve McClaren fail to last beyond next summer.[LNB]The Derby board's decision to keep their options open in terms of offering Clough a new contract means it is the future of their manager that has been dominating the chat round Pride Park. [LNB]As usual, Clough has kept his thoughts to himself but it is no secret that his current deal runs out next June, by which time he might have led County back to the Barclays Premier League. [LNB]An unexpectedly balmy night in late September was rather too early to start talking about promotion, especially with in-form Barnsley the visitors. [LNB]The Yorkshiremen arrived minus eight first-teamers either injured or ill and had Steele to thank for keeping them in contention. [LNB]Steele pushed out Jeff Hendrick's early effort and scooped up Jamie Ward's shot as Derby made the running. [LNB]Davies, with four goals in seven Derby matches ahead of kick-off, saw one effort deflected wide and was then fouled by David Perkins just outside the Barnsley area.[LNB]Davies fired a free kick through the wall but was denied by Steele. [LNB] Clough love: Derby County missed out on top spot after drawing at home[LNB]Just to compound Barnsley's problems,midf ield dynamo Perkins limped off to be replaced by 16-year-old Paul Digby, one of three academy kids on the bench. [LNB]It was Digby's debut and his first act was to join the senior players in celebration as Butterfield gave Barnsley a first-half lead. [LNB]To the joy of Barnsley's travelling support, Oakwell old boy Jason Shackell was at the centre of it too. [LNB]Ricardo Vaz Te crossed from the byline and Shackell lost out to Andy Gray, whose header landed at Butterfield's feet eight yards out. [LNB]Shackell, celebrating his 28th birthday, had already endured chants of 'there's only one greedy b******', following his ?750,000 summer switch.[LNB]Barnsley's casualty list grew by one more with Jay McEveley failing to last the first half while Derby suffered similarly when Gareth Roberts gingerly left the action. [LNB]Despite the fact Derby had played reasonably well in the first half, a small group chose to mark the end of the period with a chorus of boos. Seems par for the course, these days. [LNB]Six wins in the first eight games have raised the bar but Derby have never been blip-free, as shown by thedefeat at Coventry earlier this month.[LNB]Clough's efforts to iron out the wrinkles clearly resulted in a half-time gee-up.[LNB]There was a distinct increase in tempo and it should have resulted in an equaliser for Shackell but the defender aimed his free header from Ben Davies's corner over the bar. [LNB]When the equaliser came, it arrived from the spot. Ben Davies was upended by Bobby Hassell and the other Davies converted.[LNB] Check out our brilliant Football League blogClick here for the latest Championship table, fixtures and resultsDoncaster 1 Hull 1: Saunders' unbeaten start continues at RoversPortsmouth 2 Peterborough 3: Late own goal wins it for Posh[LNB]
