Roo boys defy Lions

DERBY battled to a hard-earned point at Millwall after playing most of the second half with 10 men – but boss Wayne Rooney believes they still should have won.

Nathan Byrne’s second yellow card after 64 minutes meant Derby had to withstand a late Millwall onslaught.

But after an improved performance, Rooney was frustrated at seeing Festy Ebosele’s first-half goal (above) almost instantly cancelled out by Scott Malone.

“Over 90 minutes we probably did enough to win the game,” Rooney said.

“But to concede not long after you score and before half-time was a blow.

“I don’t think there is a lack of fight, it is more the aggression and energy when you get to the ball.

“We are a young team, so when we are coming to places like this and getting points, it is encouraging.”

Derby edged a messy first half, with both Sam Baldock and Ebosele having shots blocked, and they took the lead on 44 minutes.

Jake Cooper was caught in possession by Baldock, who played in Tom Lawrence, with the ball then being laid on to Ebosele to slot it home under Bartosz Bialkowski.

But Derby could not hold on until the interval as Jed Wallace fed the ball to the left where Malone lashed a fierce low drive into the corner for 1-1.

The hosts pushed forward for a winner after Derby went down to 10 men. Benik Afobe went close twice, Malone fired over, but Derby almost snatched a winner when Baldock’s shot was well saved.

Lions boss Gary Rowett said: “The whole place seems edgy. You have to find those little bits of quality.”

Millwall say they are working with police to identify a fan who allegedly racially abused a Derby player during the game.

MILLWALL: Bialkowski 7; Ballard 5 (Mcnamara 5, 74), Cooper 5, M Wallace 6; Leonard 6, Mitchell 6, Saville 7 (Smith 80), Ballard; Bennett (Bradshaw 75), Malone 8; J Wallace 7, Afobe 6 (Ojo 87).

Subs not used: Long, Kieftenbeld, Pearce.

DERBY COUNTY: Roos 6; Byrne 4, Jagielka 7, Davies 7, Buchanan 6; Bird 7, Shinnie 6; Ebosele 7 (Kazim-richards 87), Lawrence 7 (Aghatise 90 ), Knight 6; Baldock 7 (Sibley 87).

Subs not used Allsop, Forsyth, Jozwiak, Stearman.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Scott Malone. Excellent goal to transform game and a constant threat down the left side.

REFEREE: Tim Robinson 6.