February may well be the shortest month of the year, but it was one that was still jam-packed full of Sky Bet League One action for Derby County.
There were six fixtures across the 28 days, all coming in the league.
After yet another unbeaten month in league action across January which saw the Rams tighten their grip on a play-off spot, the goal for February was to try and edge closer to the top two.
Here, dcfc.co.uk has taken a look back at how it all panned out…
04/02 Derby County 5-0 Morecambe
The month couldn’t have started much better for Derby County as a five-star performance saw them dismantle Morecambe in the opener.
An incredible third hat-trick of the season for David McGoldrick was added to with goals from James Collins and Jason Knight as the Rams ran out 5-0 winners.
11/02 – Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 Derby County
All good things must come to an end and sadly for the Rams, their incredible unbeaten run in the league, which dated back to October, was finally ended by Wycombe Wanderers.
The Chairboys themselves were in great form going into the game and it showed when Sam Vokes gave them an early lead.
James Collins levelled things up before Lewis Wing scored twice to make it 3-1.
Lewis Dobbin scored a great goal to half the deficit but the home side held on and the Rams suffered an incredibly rare defeat.
14/02 – Derby County 1-1 Lincoln City
It was a Valentine's night under the lights at Pride Park Stadium but frustration was in the air rather than love.
For the second game in a row the Rams found themselves trailing after Olamide Shodipo’s strike saw the Imps go a goal up just before the break.
However, when Ben House saw red for a second bookable offence early in the second period, there only looked to be one winner on the cards.
Conor Hourihane levelled things up with just over 20 minutes to play and that was followed by an onslaught from the hosts.
The Rams pushed and pushed for their winner with Louie Sibley rattling the crossbar and David McGoldrick having one ruled out for offside but it wasn’t to be and the points were ultimately shared.
18/02 – Derby County 2-0 Charlton Athletic
If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the last few months, it’s that you can’t keep this Derby side down for long - and a return to winning ways didn’t take long.
The Addicks had been resurgent in the weeks following the appointment of Dean Holden as their new manager but the Rams were able to dispatch them with relative comfort.
After David McGoldrick dispatched a ninth minute penalty, there was only going to be one winner.
Eiran Cashin headed home his first goal of the season to cement the three points in the second half and more importantly, cement his name on the list of ‘to buy’ mugs from Head Coach Paul Warne.
25/02 – Barnsley 4-1 Derby County
The final away game of February sadly brought with it the most disappointing result of the month.
A 4-1 defeat to play-off rivals Barnsley was a tough one to take but especially when the Rams proved to be the masters of their own downfall for much of the contest.
Devante Cole and Adam Phillips but the home side in a solid position before David McGoldrick was able to half the deficit.
Cole then restored the two goal buffer before the break and then a resilient defensive performance from the Tykes in the second half saw the Rams huff and puff but fail to break them down.
Former Derby player Luke Thomas scored with the last kick of the game to rub salt in the wounds of Paul Warne’s side.
28/02 – Derby County 2-0 Cheltenham Town
The Rams were eager to make up for the disappointment of the loss at Barnsley and round off February with a win when Cheltenham Town visited Pride Park Stadium on the final day of the month - and that they did.
Wade Elliott's side came to frustrate and looked to have done their job in the first-half until David McGoldrick broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute, lashing home following Conor Hourihane's cross.
The goal meant the Robins had to go for it more in the second-half and that left them more vulnerable at the back. Derby were able to capitalise on that when McGoldrick got away down the right and crossed for Lewis Dobbin who made no mistake firing into the bottom corner.
It was a big three points to finish the month which saw Derby move up to fifth on 60 points, eight points behind Plymouth Argyle in second.
Under-21s
Pat Lyons’ side picked up their first point of the Premier League 2 - Division 2 campaign in February as they drew 1-1 away at Sunderland Under-21s thanks to a 89th minute equaliser from winger Sonny Blu Lo-Everton
A 3-0 defeat to Norwich City Under-21s had opened the month before a 2-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League Cup knock-out stages rounded things off and ended their cup journey for 2022/23.
Derby County Under-21s 0-3 Norwich City Under-21s
Sunderland Under-21s 1-1 Derby County Under-21s
Derby County Under-21s 0-2 Nottingham Forest Under-21s
Under-18s
The Under-18s continued to impress across February and were one game away from yet another unbeaten month.
A 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United Under-18s was followed up by a thrilling 3-3 draw away at Liverpool Under-18s.
Jaydan Davidson scored a brace in an impressive 4-2 victory over Leeds United Under-18s before the unbeaten run was unfortunately ended with a 5-2 loss away at Manchester United Under-18s.
Derby County Under-18s 1-1 Manchester United Under-18s
Liverpool Under-18s 3-3 Derby County Under-18s
Derby County Under-18s 4-2 Leeds United Under-18s
Manchester United Under-18s 5-2 Derby County Under-18s
Derby County Women
The Ewe Rams’ incredible run of form continued throughout February as they once again made back-to-back wins to extend their unbeaten run.
Goals from Kira Rai, Jess Camwell and an own-goal saw them kick of the month with a fantastic 3-0 victory against AFC Fylde Women whilst Camillie Jenkins and Emily Joyce completed a second-half turnaround away at Stoke to cement another brilliant win for Derby County Women.
AFC Fylde Women 0-3 Derby County Women
Stoke City Women 1-2 Derby County Women