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Adam Bolder and Marco Reich scored the goals which guaranteed Derby's First
Division status with a victory over Millwall at Pride Park.
Substitute Bolder opened the scoring after going on in the 32nd minute as
replacement for calf injury victim Michael Johnson.
Reich made the points safe with 72 minutes on the clock as Derby made sure
they avoided relegation to Division two.
Millwall had been on the defensive as early as the first minute after Paul
Peschisolido had set Manuel Manel free on the left only for the Spaniard to find
the sidenetting.
There was move drama in the 16th minute when Robbie Ryan fouled Marcus Tudgay
10 yards out as the pair tussled to meet a left-wing cross from Reich.
Referee Mark Cowburn immediately pointed to the spot before cautioning Ryan
but Andy Marshall saved Ian Taylor's penalty. Tudgay's header flashed wide from
the resulting corner.
A second penalty shout was waved away after Tom Huddlestone went down under
pressure from Marvin Elliott and David Livermore before Bolder replaced
Johnson.
And seven minutes later it was Bolder fired the Rams in front after the ball
broke loose and he swivelled on the ball before bulging the back of the net.
In the second half Manel chanced his arm again but this time Marshall saw the
ball diverted to safety via his knees.
There was little for the 414 travelling fans to cheer as FA Cup finalists
Millwall produced little going forward and Derby pressed forward.
In the 73rd minute Matt Lawrence was harshly adjudged to have brought down
Canada international Peschisolido outside the Millwall area.
Up stepped Reich, a free transfer from Werder Bremen in January, to curl home
his first goal for Derby despite Marshall having got his right hand to the
ball.
The German's goal heralded survival celebrations in the stands but there was
more football to be played and Taylor tested Marshall with a powerful header
before full time.
Teams:
Derby: Grant, Kenna, Mawene, Johnson (Bolder 32), Jackson,
Tudgay, Taylor, Huddlestone, Reich (Holmes 78),
Manel (Junior 87), Peschisolido.
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Mills.
Booked: Jackson.
Goals: Bolder 40, Reich 72.
Millwall: Marshall, Lawrence, Ward, Livermore, Ryan, Ifill,
Hearn (Cogan 69), Sutton, Elliott, Harris (Chadwick 55),
Braniff (Sweeney 45).
Subs Not Used: Gueret, McCammon.
Booked: Ryan, Hearn.
Att: 26,056
Ref: M Cowburn (Lancashire).
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