Steve McClaren hailed his Derby County team’s fighting qualities last night after they recorded a seventh successive victory in a game that they could easily have lost. Tom Ince struck a fierce half-volley against the run of play four minutes from time to win it and return Derby to fifth place in the Sky Bet Championship table.
“We have had good fortune and good play [in that run] but there is resilience in the team,” McClaren said. “We have got to keep doing the nitty-gritty and as soon as you stop doing it you can get beaten in this league.”
QPR confounded those who doubted the wisdom of reappointing Ian Holloway as manager five games ago. They have failed to take a point since Holloway’s first match in charge but gave a committed and energetic display. However, they lacked a cutting edge and could not beat Scott Carson, the former England goalkeeper, who kept his fifth clean sheet in a row.
“Football can be very, very harsh,” Holloway said. “It is a bitter pill for the lads to take but I was delighted with the performance. We’ve improved in every game and we’ve just got to keep going.”
Jordan Cousins forced a fine save from Carson, as did Yeni Ngbakoto. Derby seldom threatened and Cousins tested Carson again soon after the restart. But Carson got away with fumbling Tjaronn Chery’s long-range effort when Massimo Luongo’s shot was blocked as he tried to net the rebound.
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Ince seemed to have missed Derby’s best opening when he shot wide but Abdoul Camara crossed from the left and Ince fired home. “It looked a draw all the way but we had players on the field who can give us a moment and Tom Ince did that,” McClaren said.
A freak own goal earned Nottingham Forest a point after Preston North End had dominated the first half at the City Ground, taking the lead through Simon Makienok. Thomas Lam’s shot hit a post and rebounded in off Chris Maxwell’s heels for Forest’s equaliser.