Sun 3rd May - Vicarage Road
Last updated: 4th October 2008
Ellington: Winner off bench
Derby substitute Nathan Ellington gave his manager Paul Jewell something to think about as his winner handed 10-man County a 2-1 win at Norwich.
Canaries goalkeeper Andy Marshall made a horrible mess of a clearance that saw Ellington barely believe his luck, as he tapped into an empty goal from outside the box.
The hosts had drawn level through Sammy Clingan's second-half penalty after Roy Carroll was shown a straight red card for hauling down Leroy Lita in the area.
Derby had dominated prior to the sending-off and deservedly went ahead through Rob Hulse's first-half bullet header.
Impressive Derby winger Steve Davies had chances to add to the visitors' lead and they seemed to have been made to pay for the misses before Ellington's late strike.
The result extends the Rams' unbeaten run to six games while Norwich remain winless in four.
Canaries manager Glenn Roeder made three changes to the team which lost 2-0 to Southampton on Tuesday, with Adam Drury and Clingan joining debutant Lita in the starting line-up.
Opposite number Jewell also made changes to his side with Lewin Nyatanga and Davies replacing injured centre-back Martin Albrechtsen and Stephen Pearson respectively.
The visitors almost took the lead after eight minutes when Davies, who came off the bench to grab the equaliser against Birmingham on Tuesday, lashed in a powerful shot from the edge of the area which Marshall did brilliantly to keep out.
Davies went close again a few minutes later, sending a shot just wide as the Rams looked to increase their early pressure.
As the half wore on the hosts began to get a stranglehold on play with lively winger Lee Croft looking dangerous going forward.
But just as they looked to carve out goalscoring opportunities Derby took the lead in clinical fashion in the 26th minute.
Hulse took advantage of a cross from Davies to power home a far-post header for his second goal of the season.
Davies came close to doubling Derby's lead just before the break as his inswinging corner was tipped over by Marshall.
The game was turned on its head a couple of minutes after the interval when the hosts were reduced to 10 men and in turn lost their one-goal advantage.
County goalkeeper Carroll was shown his marching orders after he hauled down Lita in the area, and from the resulting spot-kick Clingan slotted past substitute goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.
It was a cruel blow to the visitors who had looked the more likely to add to their advantage prior to the penalty.
City, visibly buoyed by their equaliser, started to create more openings and Croft was unlucky not to score when his shot forced Bywater into a fantastic save.
But County kept plugging away and got their reward five minutes from time with Ellington's strike.

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 11th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Burton Albion vs Derby |
| Tuesday 14th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Arnold Town vs Derby |
| Saturday 18th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Chesterfield vs Derby |
| Tuesday 21st July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Yeovil vs Derby |
| Thursday 23rd July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Torquay vs Derby |
| Saturday 25th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Exeter vs Derby |
| Monday 27th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Matlock vs Derby |
| Tuesday 28th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Notts County vs Derby |
| Thursday 30th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Burton Albion vs Derby |
| Friday 31st July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Alfreton Town vs Derby |
| Saturday 1st August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Stoke |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Peterborough |
| Tuesday 11th August | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 19:45 | Rotherham vs Derby |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Scunthorpe vs Derby |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Blackpool vs Derby |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Plymouth |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Nottm Forest vs Derby |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 13:00 | Derby vs Sheff Utd |
| Tuesday 15th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Derby vs Barnsley |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Crystal Palace vs Derby |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 3rd May | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Watford 3 - 1 Derby | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 1 - 0 Charlton | |
| Tuesday 21st April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 0 - 2 Reading | |
| Saturday 18th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Derby | |
| Monday 13th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 2 - 3 Wolverhampton | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 0 - 1 Derby | |
| Wednesday 8th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Cardiff 4 - 1 Derby | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 1 - 1 Burnley | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 0 - 0 Barnsley | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Utd 4 - 2 Derby | |
| Tuesday 10th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 1 Derby | |
| Saturday 7th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 2 - 1 Bristol City | |
| Tuesday 3rd March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 2 - 2 Swansea | |
| Friday 27th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Doncaster 2 - 1 Derby | |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Nottm Forest 1 - 3 Derby | |
| Wednesday 18th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 4 - 1 Blackpool | |
| Sunday 15th February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Derby 1 - 4 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Plymouth 0 - 3 Derby | |
| Wednesday 4th February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Nottm Forest 2 - 3 Derby | |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 2 - 1 Coventry | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Coventry City | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Crystal Palace | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Derby County | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Doncaster Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Ipswich Town | 0 | 0 |
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has applauded the attitude of Derby target Shaun Barker.
Derby County have rejected two bids from Norwich City for striker Liam Dickinson.
Derby County boss Nigel Clough is ready to make new offers for Shaun Barker and John Brayford.
Derby insist they have not received any approach from Celtic for winger Kris Commons.
Burnley have expressed their delight after completing the signing of Tyrone Mears from Derby.