Sheffield United 1-1 Derby: Patrick Bamford strikes to hold 10-man Rams

Bobby Clark gave the visitors a first-half lead with Bamford levelling the scores late in the game, only to limp off amid the celebrations.

After a quiet start, the game burst into life around the half-hour mark with efforts on goal at either end.

Derby threatened when the ball fell to Clark following a cross from Joe Ward and his firm drive was well saved by Michael Cooper down to his right.

Carlton Morris then found himself through on goal and fired in a shot on target which was saved by Cooper with his legs.

United's first effort of note came from Kalvin Phillips, whose long-range strike forced a save from Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.

Derby took the lead in the 37th minute when Ryan Hedges, on the left-hand side of the area, saw his low shot come back off the near post and the ball fell to Clark, who fired into the net from inside the D.

Blades boss Chris Wilder made a double substitution shortly before the hour-mark, sending on Sydie Peck and Femi Sereki.

Ben Brereton Diaz put an effort off target for the hosts while Derby's Sammie Szmodics chested the ball down before volleying over.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute when Dion Sanderson received a second booking following a clumsy challenge on Sereki.

After Romelle Donovan had an effort saved by Zetterstrom, the substitute played a key role in the equaliser.

The goal came in the 79th minute when Donovan delivered a probing cross to the far post and Bamford was on hand to bundle the ball over the line from close range. Bamford was injured in the process, however, after falling awkwardly and he had to be replaced.

Peck fired in a shot on target but it was straight at Zetterstrom who made a comfortable save.

Tyrese Campbell and fellow substitute Peck had chances to win it for the hosts in time added on.

Campbell saw his shot on the turn force a fine save from Zetterstrom, who turned the ball onto the bar and away, then Peck fired in a shot which the keeper was again equal to.

Donovan saw his shot comfortably saved and in the dying seconds of the game United skipper Japhet Tanganga put an effort straight at Zetterstrom.

The result means that Derby have won just once in their opening 12 games of the season.

"It was never going to be a straightforward game, as a Championship game never is. Really frustrated and disappointed with our first-half performance. I thought maybe the team thought that the game would come to them.

"It's always a full house when we go there and when they come to us, and it was always going to be competitive. And we gave them the game that they wanted first off, and that was down to us and our approach.

"We were too passive, we were too quick in possession, too slow in possession. We gave away the ball when we needed to have control, we went long when we needed to shorten things up.

"Out of possession, we lost too many first and second balls, and we never got up to the ball. It felt we needed a poke of some sort to get us going, which was annoying. And the poke came in the form of the goal.

"Everybody's brother was playing first half apart from Kalvin (Phillips) and Coops (Michael Cooper) and we turned up second half, tried to get back into the game.

"I've got to say, for the life of me, we have to win from that position. I thought the intent of the team was really good. Goalkeeper's made some huge saves for his team. A couple of things that could have fallen for us didn't."

Very proud of the effort of the group. I thought we were excellent in the first half. I thought we were fully in control of the game.

"We played some good football. We created a fantastic goal. And then in the second half, we knew we'd be under a bit of pressure. I felt we downlined that. And then just before the red card, we were again creating a few chances.

"Really disappointed not to get all three points of course but to go up against a really good, physical team that were going to put the ball in the box and sustain attacks. Overall I was really pleased with the way we defended.

"The fighting spirit was there for everyone to see. Over the course of the season up to now, we've had our so called better players not available. And, you know, the players that have performed have been excellent.

"Their attitude has been very good. We looked more of a physical presence, which we haven't in previous matches. It's about getting the group back together.

"I was really pleased and proud of the effort of the group, and you know, it just showed the togetherness of the group."

On the challenge that led to Sanderson's second booking, Eustace said: "I haven't seen it back but obviously if they're hunting a yellow card, it's the way the referee read the game today, he's probably always going to get another yellow so can't be doing it."

What the result means and next fixtures...