Substitute Kevin Harper shattered Swansea's dreams of another famous
giant-killing act with his second goal of the season at the Vetch Field.
The Swans had become the first Third Division side to knock out a Premiership
team since the new top flight was launched in 1992 when they beat West Ham in
the previous round.
And for much of this scrappy clash they looked more than capable of adding
Derby's scalp on a miserable afternoon in South Wales.
But Harper ruined the home side's plans for a lucrative and deserved replay at
Pride Park with his 81st minute header from Horacio Carbonari's cross, to put
Derby into the hat for the fifth round draw.
It was harsh on the home side who had created most of the rare clear-cut
chances but Harper, a £300,000 capture from Hibernian in September, made no
mistake from 10 yards when he was left free nine minutes from time.
It was just reward for the Scottish Under-21 international, who scored on his
full debut in the win over Liverpool at Anfield this season, for adding some
much needed life and enthusiasm into the Derby side after coming on for Deon
Burton in first-half injury time.
Mart Poom was by far the busiest goalkeeper in a first half full of commitment
but lacking in any real skill or flair on a heavy pitch made treacherous by
persistent rain.
The Estonian international was in the thick of the action from the fifth
minute onwards, saving bravely at the feet of Steve Watkin who was booked for
clattering into the keeper after the ball had gone.
Poom then repeated the trick minutes later as the dangerous Stuart Roberts
chased a Kristian O'Leary through ball as Derby struggled to relieve the
pressure.
Roberts was giving the visitors all kinds of problems with his pace down the
right wing, Stefan Schnoor booked by referee Graham Barber on 19 minutes for
bringing down the flying youngster.
Skipper Nick Cusack then forced another good save from Poom with a low
left-footed free-kick that went straight through the defensive wall before
Julian Alsop was booked for slamming the ball into the net after the whistle had
already gone for offside.
Damian Lacey, in for the injured Martin Thomas, then fired a volley wide
before Derby managed their first real threat on the home goal on 41 minutes.
Baiano finally found enough room to slip the ball to Sturridge on the left
hand side of the area but Swans keeper Roger Freestone was quickly off his line
to smother the danger.
Harper almost had an instant impact seconds into the second half, but his
first-time shot from the edge of the area was straight at Freestone.
Harper was again involved minutes later as Derby enjoyed their best spell of
the match, Freestone doing well to reach Laursen's cross before him.
Swansea's best chance came on 52 minutes, Cusack's drive being half-saved by
Poom and Coates inches away from getting the touch needed to turn the ball into
the empty net.
Watkin then should have done better five minutes later, escaping the
attentions of Prior to get a free header 12 yards out but failing to hit the
target.
That proved to be a costly miss for the home side as Derby snatched what
proved to be the winner with under 10 minutes left.
Harper was left unmarked in the area as Carbonari swung over a left foot cross
and made no mistake.
The home side threw everyone forward in a desperate search for the equaliser
they deserved, Poom flapping at Cusack's cross and Watkin forcing the keeper
into a good save.
But Derby held on for a second away FA Cup victory this season and, on this
evidence, will be hoping for a home draw in the next round.
Teams:
Swansea: Freestone, S. Jones, O'Leary (Bird 82), Bound, Howard,
Roberts, Lacey, Cusack, Coates (Appleby 68), Alsop, Watkin.
Subs Not Used: J. Jones, Price, Jenkins.
Booked: Cusack, Alsop, Watkin.
Derby: Poom, Prior, Schnoor, Carbonari, Laursen, Dorigo,
Bohinen (Kozluk 86), Carsley, Baiano (Elliott 63), Sturridge,
Burton (Harper 45).
Subs Not Used: Hoult, Hunt.
Booked: Schnoor, Sturridge.
Goals: Harper 81.
Att: 11,383
Ref: G Barber (Pyrford).
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