An own goal attributed to Bradford goalkeeper Alan Combe gave Derby victory in
a roller-coaster relegation battle at Pride Park.
The hosts led 2-0, but were pegged back by the Bantams before the pendulum
swung back in their favour six minutes from time thanks to a scrappy winner in
which Combe and Derby duo Paul Peschisolido and Leon Osman were all involved.
It was a vital victory with both teams in the bottom three and while Derby now
have renewed hope of remaining in Division One, this result pushed Bradford ever
closer to the relegation trapdoor.
The excitement of the second half could hardly have been imagined during a
lacklustre opening period with both sides understandably looking as though their
main priority was not to lose, and that manifested itself in a lack of scoring
opportunities.
By the time Derby posed a threat 18 minutes had elapsed and Peschisolido, who
has made a real impact since his move from Sheffield United, saw his left-foot
strike hit the woodwork.
The Rams made a substitution to try and shake off the lethargy, Adam Bolder
going on for Candido Costa, and within two minutes they were ahead as on-loan
Everton midfielder Osman curled home a left-foot shot.
There was no swift response to falling behind from Bryan Robson's men and
Derby could have extended their advantage in the dying moments of the first half
as Peschisolido forced Combe to parry his right-foot volley, and the goalkeeper
then did even better to hold a Marcus Tudgay header.
The duel between Peschisolido and Combe continued when the game resumed after
the break as the Scot again denied the Canadian striker before Derby defender
Jamie Vincent went off with an injury, Pablo Mills his replacement.
After 52 minutes, Bradford went close to an equaliser when Robert Wolleaston
connected with a Branch cross, but Tom Huddlestone made a vital block and from
the resulting corner taken by Summerbee, Dean Windass headed wide.
That sparked a more promising spell for the Yorkshire side with Lee Grant
having to tip a Michael Branch shot round the post and Summerbee's corner again
posed problems, but Wolleaston could only volley the ball over the crossbar.
Derby captain Ian Taylor then made it 2-0 in the 64th minute with his 12th
goal of the season.
Osman took a free-kick from the right and the former Aston Villa man stole in
unnoticed to score with an angled header.
Just as the home fans' celebrations were dying down, Peter Atherton rekindled
Bradford's hopes.
Summerbee played a free-kick to the veteran defender, who skipped into the
penalty area and slotted the ball home.
By now the visitors were in the ascendancy and 11 minutes from time they drew
level with Wolleaston's first goal for the club, a right-foot drive.
However, there was still another twist to come as amid a goalmouth scramble,
the ball ricocheted into the Bradford net off Combe to effectively condemn them
to Division Two next season.
Teams
Derby Grant, Jackson, Mawene, Kenna, Vincent (Mills 49),
Costa (Bolder 35), Taylor, Huddlestone, Osman, Peschisolido,
Tudgay.
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Manel, Junior.
Booked: Kenna.
Goals: Osman 36, Taylor 64, Combe 84 og.
Bradford Combe, Edds (Muirhead 75), Gavin (Bower 86),
Wetherall, Heckingbottom, Summerbee, Atherton, Windass,
Emanuel (Cadamarteri 61), Branch, Wolleaston.
Subs Not Used: Paston, Kearney.
Booked: Summerbee, Heckingbottom.
Goals: Atherton 67, Wolleaston 79.
Att: 21,593
Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook