Derby and Nottingham Forest proved inseparable at Pride Park on Friday night as they played out a 1-1 draw.
All square in derby FA Cup clash at Pride Park
Derby and Nottingham Forest proved inseparable at Pride Park on Friday night as they played out a 1-1 draw.
Rob Hulse gave the Rams a first-half lead, but Rob Earnshaw levelled for the Reds after the interval.
That means both teams must do it all over again at the City Ground to determine who books their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
The hosts dominated proceedings from the off, with Nacer Barazite giving the Forest defence nightmares down the right.
The Dutchman was a constant threat and was involved in much of Derby's best work as they quickly found a foothold in the game.
With Forest offering little going forward it therefore came as no surprise when Hulse opened the scoring on 36 minutes.
Paul Connolly was able to escape towards the corner flag and his cut back was tucked away by the towering frontman with clinical precession.
The visitors came out for the second half with renewed vigour, though, and provided much more of an attacking threat.
Earnshaw and Nathan Tyson were now causing problems aplenty and it would be the Welshman that resorted parity.
He picked up a low cross from Garath McCleary 10-yards from goal, span past Miles Addison and drilled low into the corner past Stephen Bywater's outstretched hand.
The Rams did come agonisingly close to snatching a late winner, but Hulse and Luke Varney were both denied by fantastic stops from Paul Smith.
Hype
The pre-match hype surrounding this East Midlands derby promised much and the game itself lived up to its billing.
The first real chance arrived as the midway point of the first half approached.
It was all Gary Teale's work. The midfielder cut inside from the left wing but his low shot from the edge of the area lacked conviction and was easily gathered by Forest goalkeeper Smith.
Smith was called into more athletic action to turn away Barazite's shot in the 34th minute, but there was nothing he could do to keep out Hulse two minutes later.
Hulse finished off a superb Derby attack which began with a neat one-two between Connolly and Barazite down the right-hand side.
Connolly's low cross was cleverly stepped over by Paul Green at the near post, allowing Hulse to sweep the ball home from six yards.
Forest's first clear chance came early in the second half. Tyson got clear down the left side of the box and forced Stephen Bywater to block.
Inspired
The loose ball was then hacked clear before Earnshaw could react to the rebound.
But Earnshaw was to get on the scoresheet and Forest's goal was remarkably similar to the one they conceded.
Substitute McCleary dug out a cross, Tyson stepped over the ball at the near post and Earnshaw turned and fired a shot into the bottom corner.
Commons was introduced in the 72nd minute and it almost proved an inspired substitution by Nigel Clough.
The former Forest midfielder should have restored Derby's lead with his first touch after Jordan Stewart's cross from the left eluded everyone in the box, but Commons stabbed his half-volley over the crossbar at the back post.
Smith produced two dramatic late saves to keep out headers from Hulse and substitute Varney to ensure that no-one got the bragging rights.
| Derby County |
Team Statistics |
Nottingham Forest |
|
| 1 |
Goals |
1 |
|
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
|
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
6 |
|
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
|
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
1 |
|
| 10 |
Corners |
4 |
|
| 10 |
Fouls |
11 |
|
| 3 |
Offsides |
1 |
|
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
|
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
|
| 62 |
Passing Success |
57.3 |
|
| 29 |
Tackles |
29 |
|
| 75.9 |
Tackles Success |
93.1 |
|
| 55.6 |
Possession |
44.4 |
|
| 57.8 |
Territorial Advantage |
42.2 |
|
|
