Derby striker Jamie Ward returned from injury to score a second-half goal and earn a draw against Nottingham Forest.

Forest's Simon Cox hit the bar before his side took the lead when Chris Cohen mis-kicked Billy Sharp's cross but tucked in at the second attempt.

Forest looked at ease but Derby drew level when Conor Sammon robbed Simon Gillett and fed Ward to slot home.

Match facts

  • This was the first time in the last five Championship games between Derby and Forest that neither side had a player sent off
  • Chris Cohen's goal, in his 300th club career start, was Forest's 50th league goal in Derby

They could not build on that and Forest finished the stronger side with Sharp firing wide late on.

The point for Alex McLeish's side ended a three-game losing streak to their East Midlands rivals, but they had opportunities to win the game against a less experienced Derby side.

Forest were not totally dominant in a scrappy game, but they were more of an attacking force and had more possession in midfield as they moved to within two points of the play-off places before Saturday's later kick-offs.

Ward, who last started a game for Derby in the reverse fixture in September, was his side's biggest threat and when he was replaced after his goal, the thrust went out of the hosts' play.

He saw a free-kick deflected just wide of the post early on, but Nigel Clough's side failed to support lone striker Sammon in the first half as Forest broke forward with more purpose.

The visitors, however, were initially let down by poor passing. Then, after Gonzalo Jara went close, they established a measure of control and took the lead on 31 minutes.

The breakthrough itself was a little fortunate as Sharp was allowed time to cross from the right and Cohen miscued his effort from the edge of the box, but the ball came straight back to him and he made no mistake with the second attempt.

The hosts were gifted an equaliser seven minutes after the break, when Gillett was caught napping in his own half by Sammon. The hulking striker fed the on-running Ward and he finished sweetly to lift the mood at Pride Park.

Jeff Hendrick then fired just over for Derby, before being brought down by Elliott Ward as he bore down on goal again shortly afterwards.

But after Ward's withdrawal, Forest substitute Dexter Blackstock - a reported Derby transfer target - headed wide from a corner and Sharp shot wide of the post as Forest ended the game on top.

Derby manager Nigel Clough, delighted to have striker Jamie Ward back: "That's his first start for three months and he's been our major goal threat when he's started this season so to not have the partnership we wanted out there for three months has been hard for us.

"He was not as sharp as he normally is but he got a great goal. He's one of those players."

Forest manager Alex McLeish on the transfer window: "I am going to try and be as busy as I can. I spoke to the owners today after the game and they are very keen for us to add players to the squad.

"I think these guys have got a good chance of climbing further up the table but I would like to have an even better chance by adding new players.

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (4)

Derby County

  • 13 Legzdins
  • 02 Brayford
  • 03 Roberts
  • 06 Keogh
  • 15 O'Brien
  • 04 Bryson (Jacobs - 75' )
  • 07 Coutts
  • 08 Hendrick
  • 19 Hughes
  • 10 Ward (Robinson - 67' )
  • 32 Sammon

Substitutes

  • 01 Fielding
  • 16 O'Connor
  • 23 Freeman
  • 12 Jacobs
  • 18 Davies
  • 11 Robinson
  • 20 Bennett

Nottingham Forest

  • 12 Darlow
  • 05 Collins
  • 15 Halford
  • 32 Ward Booked
  • 36 Jara
  • 04 Gillett (Moussi - 69' )
  • 08 Cohen
  • 22 Lansbury
  • 28 Majewski (Blackstock - 62' )
  • 19 Cox
  • 24 Sharp

Substitutes

  • 31 Evtimov
  • 03 Harding
  • 18 Moloney
  • 06 Moussi
  • 10 McGugan
  • 14 Greening
  • 23 Blackstock
Ref: Clattenburg
Att: 33,010

Match Stats

Shots

16 12

On target

9 2

Corners

5 3

Fouls

7 16

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:16 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +1:46

Effort from outside the box by Billy Sharp goes wide right of the target.

89:45

Foul by Guy Moussi on Theo Robinson, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Gareth Roberts.

89:02

Theo Robinson concedes a free kick for a foul on Henri Lansbury. Gonzalo Jara Reyes takes the direct free kick.

87:22

Free kick awarded for a foul by Simon Cox on Mark O'Brien. Free kick taken by Adam Legzdins.

85:09

Effort from outside the penalty box by Will Hughes goes wide left of the goal.

83:46

Effort from the edge of the penalty area by Billy Sharp goes wide of the left-hand post.

83:33

The ball is swung over by Henri Lansbury, Richard Keogh makes a clearance.

81:44

Corner taken left-footed by Chris Cohen, Greg Halford takes a shot. Richard Keogh gets a block in.

81:26

Simon Cox has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the target.

80:45

Henri Lansbury takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, Adam Legzdins makes a save.

80:25

The ball is sent over by Chris Cohen, Richard Keogh makes a clearance.

77:29

Henri Lansbury gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Michael Jacobs. Direct free kick taken by Gareth Roberts.

77:18

Jeff Hendrick fouled by Henri Lansbury, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Gareth Roberts.

75:28

Corner taken by Paul Coutts played to the near post, Billy Sharp manages to make a clearance.

75:28

Inswinging corner taken by Paul Coutts from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Simon Cox.

74:48 Substitution

Substitution Michael Jacobs comes on in place of Craig Bryson.

74:05

Long distance shot from Chris Cohen misses to the left of the target.

72:12

Dexter Blackstock challenges John Brayford unfairly and gives away a free kick. Richard Keogh restarts play with the free kick.

71:24

Paul Coutts decides to take a short corner.

69:39

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Henri Lansbury, Danny Collins has a headed effort from close range and clears the bar.

69:05

Foul by Theo Robinson on Henri Lansbury, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed right-footed by Chris Cohen from right wing, clearance by Conor Sammon.

68:29 Substitution

Substitution Simon Gillett goes off and Guy Moussi comes on.

66:53

Theo Robinson is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Danny Collins.

66:08 Substitution

Substitution Theo Robinson comes on in place of Jamie Ward.

65:27

Simon Cox has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the target.

63:24

Craig Bryson is penalised for a handball. Chris Cohen crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance by Richard Keogh.

61:57 Substitution

Substitution Dexter Blackstock on for Radoslaw Majewski.

61:40

Shot from just outside the penalty area by Henri Lansbury misses to the left of the target.

60:24

Shot by Jamie Ward from 20 yards. Henri Lansbury gets a block in.

59:27

Jamie Ward has an effort direct from the free kick, Henri Lansbury gets a block in.

59:27 Booking

Booking Elliott Ward receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

59:17

Unfair challenge on Jeff Hendrick by Elliott Ward results in a free kick.

59:01

A cross is delivered by Gonzalo Jara Reyes, Mark O'Brien manages to make a clearance.

58:29

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Elliott Ward.

56:13

Gareth Roberts takes a shot. Save made by Karl Darlow.

55:26

Shot from outside the box by Radoslaw Majewski misses to the left of the target.

53:26

Corner taken by Paul Coutts, Header on goal by Mark O'Brien from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

53:04

Jeff Hendrick takes a shot. Save by Karl Darlow.

51:41

Assist on the goal came from Conor Sammon.

51:41 Goal scored

Goal - Jamie Ward - Derby 1 - 1 Nott'm For Goal scored by Jamie Ward from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Derby 1-1 Nottm Forest.

50:40

Foul by Henri Lansbury on Craig Bryson, free kick awarded. Gareth Roberts takes the free kick.

48:21

Radoslaw Majewski is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Mark O'Brien.

47:58

The ball is swung over by Jamie Ward, comfortable save by Karl Darlow.

45:41

Gareth Roberts fouled by Simon Cox, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Adam Legzdins.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +1:09 Half time

Half Time The first half comes to an end.

43:22

Jamie Ward produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.

42:51

Will Hughes takes a shot. Save by Karl Darlow.

39:16

Craig Bryson challenges Radoslaw Majewski unfairly and gives away a free kick. Greg Halford restarts play with the free kick.

37:49

Chris Cohen gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Craig Bryson. Adam Legzdins takes the direct free kick.

37:49

Free kick awarded for a foul by Chris Cohen on Craig Bryson. Free kick taken by Adam Legzdins.

36:54

Effort from the edge of the area by John Brayford goes wide of the right-hand upright.

35:32

Simon Cox is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Will Hughes.

30:26

Assist on the goal came from Billy Sharp.

30:26 Goal scored

Goal - Chris Cohen - Derby 0 - 1 Nott'm For A goal is scored by Chris Cohen from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Derby 0-1 Nottm Forest.

29:47

Effort from inside the area by Paul Coutts misses to the right of the target.

28:44

The ball is swung over by Gareth Roberts, save by Karl Darlow.

27:00

Unfair challenge on Craig Bryson by Radoslaw Majewski results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Adam Legzdins.

23:38

Billy Sharp concedes a free kick for a foul on Richard Keogh. Free kick taken by Richard Keogh.

23:09

Craig Bryson takes a shot from 20 yards. Blocked by Danny Collins.

21:02

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gareth Roberts by Billy Sharp. Direct free kick taken by Mark O'Brien.

20:39

Foul by Jamie Ward on Karl Darlow, free kick awarded. Karl Darlow takes the direct free kick.

13:44

Simon Cox takes a shot.

18:59

Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Collins on Conor Sammon. Paul Coutts crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, clearance made by Greg Halford.

17:56

Radoslaw Majewski challenges Craig Bryson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Richard Keogh.

17:13

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Adam Legzdins.

16:17

Simon Cox gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mark O'Brien. Free kick taken by Adam Legzdins.

14:53

Effort on goal by Gonzalo Jara Reyes from just inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

13:44

Will Hughes takes a shot.

12:10

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gonzalo Jara Reyes by Conor Sammon. Gonzalo Jara Reyes takes the free kick.

9:10

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Simon Cox by Mark O'Brien. Greg Halford takes the free kick.

8:08

Outswinging corner taken by Paul Coutts from the right by-line, clearance made by Elliott Ward.

6:57

Foul by Elliott Ward on Craig Bryson, free kick awarded. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Jamie Ward, Danny Collins gets a block in.

4:43

Greg Halford delivers the ball, comfortable save by Adam Legzdins.

4:25

Paul Coutts concedes a free kick for a foul on Chris Cohen. Free kick taken by Chris Cohen.

3:33

Craig Bryson has an effort at goal from outside the box missing to the wide left of the goal.

0:59

Outswinging corner taken by Paul Coutts, Richard Keogh takes a shot. Comfortable save by Karl Darlow.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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