WAYNE’S WAG I S A R E A L FIGHTER

Martyn’s brace helps keep Rams up – after painful collision with post

STAYING UP Derby’s two-goal hero Waghorn leads the celebrations 49, 78 pen, 39% 4

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6

5 10

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Ref: Mike Dean 52

MATCH STATS POSSESSION SHOTS ON TARGET SHOTS OFF TARGET CORNERS OFFSIDE FOULS

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3

Waghorn Roberts SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 3 Hutchinson 62, 69

45+4, Paterson

CARDS

BY JAMES NURSEY

DERBY looked more likely to stage a vanishing act than a survival miracle when they trailed twice.

But with Wayne Rooney in the dug-out these days, the Rams needed new heroes.

And the rookie manager was able to count on two players to deliver at either end of the pitch.

Martyn Waghorn was man

0 61% 5 2 10 2 13

0 of the match, scoring twice and providing an assist for Patrick Roberts.

That was despite a stretcher coming on for striker Waghorn in the first half when he collided painfully with a post (above).

He showed real guts and worked tirelessly until replaced in the 81st minute by defender Curtis Davies.

The veteran, 36, ignored medical advice, after surgery on his Achilles in December, to make a surprise comeback without a single training session.

Both stars made vital contributions and, if Rooney can afford it, he would be advised to keep the out-ofcontract pair. Waghorn, 31, who finished with five goals this term, said: “I got a bit winded but thought, ‘I can’t afford to go off ’.

“We had a game plan and had worked on things all week. This game has reiterated that I still have so much more to give.

“I have had doubts from a lot of people across the board. But I want to keep fighting.

“I said to the players, ‘Everyone can have an off-day on the ball, but we have to fight and show commitment’.”

Waghorn headed in after the break to cancel out Sam Hutchinson’s opener, scored in first-half stoppage time. He then released Roberts, who curled home a shot to put the Rams ahead.

But Sheffield Wednesday showed character to claw their way level through Callum Paterson. And the Owls looked on course to beat the odds, despite a six-point deduction for breaching EFL spending rules, when Julian Borner netted.

But Waghorn levelled in the 78th minute with a well-taken penalty. Davies then used his experience to help negotiate six minutes of added time, knowing a draw would keep them safe and relegate the Owls after Rotherham drew (Rooney celebrates with Colin Kazim-Richards, left).

Davies said: “I felt I could give the manager 10-15 minutes at either end of the pitch if needed.

“I’d have rather not been needed but am happy to have come on and contributed a little bit. Legally, the medical department didn’t give me the go-ahead, but I took it on my own back. It was my decision.

“I couldn’t look myself in the mirror otherwise.

“It is not a highlight in my career, definitely not, but I couldn’t not help the team.”

DERBY: Roos 7, Byrne 7, Edmundson 7, Clarke 7, Forsyth 3 (Buchanan 73, 5), Knight 6 (Bird 61, 6), Shinnie 8 (Jozwiak 73, 5), Roberts 7, Waghorn 9 (Davies 81), Lawrence 7, Kazim-Richards 7 SHEFF WED: Westwood 6, Borner 7, Dunkley 7 (Harris 87), Hutchinson 7, Palmer 6, Pelupessy 6 (Green 90), Bannan 8 , Reach 7, Paterson 7, Windass 6, Rhodes 7 (Kachunga 79, 5)

MOTM

MARTYN WAGHORN (DERBY)