Keepers are top of stops for Robins
BRISTOL CITY’S two goalkeepers combined to bring their losing run to an end ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Manchester City.
No1 keeper Frank Fielding and half-time substitute Luke Steele made crucial saves.
Lee Johnson’s men had lost their last five games but Fielding made two first-half stops before getting injured and watching replacement Steele star after the break. It was a shot in the arm for the Robins, who take a 2-1 deficit into the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final against City, but two points dropped for Gary Rowett’s high-flying Rams in the scrap for promotion.
Derby exerted early pressure but Bristol City held them off with ease and a decent spell from the visitors resulted in their first chance. Marlon Pack delivered a free-kick from the right and Aden Flint headed just wide.
Josh Brownhill was heavily involved as Bristol City carved out two quick chances.
He had a low shot blocked by a sprawling Curtis Davies before his header teed up Jamie Paterson.
Paterson tried his luck from the corner of the six-yard box but blasted over.
It was the same result at the other end when Johnny Russell brought down a high ball inside the D but cleared the bar. Russell then earned his side a free-kick and Matej Vydra’s effort from 25 yards was turned around the post by former Derby keeper Fielding, who made a low one-handed save.
And from the corner, Russell hooked a loose ball back into the goalmouth and Flint had to clear Davies’s effort off the line.
Eight minutes before half-time Russell blasted a free-kick against the Bristol City crossbar following a foul by Wright.
And just before the break Derby defender Richard Keogh tried an ambitious volley from a Russell cross-shot but his effort hit Fielding, with Davies heading the rebound over.
Brownhill found himself with a sight of goal early after the break but his low effort was saved by Scott Carson. City needed Steele to make an early contribution as he saved from Vydra.
On the hour Lawrence cut in from the Derby left and curled a right-footed effort just over.
And three minutes later Steele denied Lawrence with a strong save. Steele came to his side’s rescue again when he saved from Vydra after neat play by David Nugent.
With 10 minutes to go, Sam Winnall sent a shot narrowly wide and in the dying moments Derby new-boy Cameron Jerome was booked for diving.