Having finally found a winning formula in recent weeks, the Rams were brought back down to earth with a bump in this Friday evening kickoff.  

Derby were weakened with the both the influential Kris Commons and Nacer Barazite ruled out through injury and were forced to play a more traditional 442 formation; with Chris Porter making his first start for the Rams up front and a return from injury for Gary Teale on the left. 

In a first half lacking in quality from both sides it was Porter who came closest for the Rams heading onto the bar from a Connolly free kick. 

The half-time break rejuvenated both teams, but it was the Rams who came out the brightest and within 5 minutes had taken the lead. Robbie Savage was quick to take control of the free kick won after Hulse was brought down on the edge of the box.  Savage struck the ball sweetly, over the wall and into the top corner; his first in a Derby shirt. 

Derby’s lead however was short lived, as Paul Heffermen headed low past Bywater to bring Doncaster back into the game.

After failing to defend a Doncaster corner properly the Rams found themselves behind in a league game for the first time in a month. The ball fell to Mark Wilson, whose awkward shot from 25 yards dipped and swayed, bouncing in front of Bywater and up into the net. 

Whilst Bywater may have been at fault for Doncaster’s second, he was back on form to deny Hefferman ten minutes from time with an excellent reflex save. 

All in all it was a disappointing performance from the Rams after their recent run of form, but with the weekend to regroup before Tuesday night’s match against Swansea let’s hope it proves to be just a blip in an upwards trend.