Derby County played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw with promotion rivals Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon.
Both sides had chances to win it on the day with the best of those going in the favour of the Rams but ultimately, the spoils were shared.
After a cagey opening 10 minutes it was the Rams that found themselves with the first real opportunity of the game. Eiran Cashin had taken up a position out on the left and whipped a vicious ball across goal that James Collins was inches away from heading home.
Collins turned provider soon after when he crossed for David McGoldrick who looked to prod under the legs of David Stockdale but was denied by a superb save - though the flag was up on the far side.
Joe Wildsmith was called into action for the first time after 25 minutes and it was an easy save as he was able to catch a tame Michael Smith header.
A corner routine straight from the training ground saw Conor Hourihane break free on the edge of the box and Louie Sibley found him with a pinpoint pass but the former was unable to keep his effort down and it flew harmlessly over the bar of the Wednesday keeper.
The best chance of the half again came the Rams’ way just prior to the break. A few heavy challenges were flying in in the middle of the park with Collins coming out eventual winner. Collins fed his striking partner McGoldrick who let fly from 25-yards but was denied by a strong diving save from Stockdale.
Paul Warne's men again started on top following the restart and Lewis Dobbin was inches away from putting the Rams ahead. A quick-throw from Korey Smith caught the visitors napping and Dobbin found himself in behind but a favourable bounce saw the ball run through into the arms of Stockdale.
Dobbin continued to be in the thick of it after the break and first found himself in the referee's book for what looked no more than a shoulder barge before heading a Cashin cross just wide.
Wednesday nearly went in front against the run of play but for a superb save from Wildsmith. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru worked his way into the Derby box and was able to wriggle away from two men before firing an effort towards goal but Wildsmith made himself big and kept the scores level.
With the game petering out, the visitors nearly snatched it. Max Bird looked to have been fouled in the middle of the park but the referee waved play on, Wednesday broke and it resulted in a cross nearly being put into his own net by Craig Forsyth but the Rams got away with it.
Derby pushed for a winner as we entered five additional minutes but were unable to break down a resolute Owls defence and the spoils were shared.
Attendance: 28,192 (2,681 Sheffield Wednesday fans)
Derby County: Wildsmith (GK), Forsyth, Hourihane, Cashin, Barkhuizen (71' Mendez-Laing), Bird (90' Roberts), Collins, McGoldrick (71' Osula), Smith, Sibley, Dobbin (82' Knight)
Substitutes: Foulkes (GK), Thompson, Davies
Sheffield Wednesday: Stockdale (GK), Palmer, Vaulks, Iorfa, Bannan (C), Dele-Bashiru, Johnson, Smith (59' Paterson), James, McGuinness, Mighten (59' Wilks)
Substitutes: Dawson (GK), Brown, Famewo, Bakinson, Hunt
It’s more Sky Bet League One action for the Rams next weekend when they make the short trip to East Staffordshire to take on Burton Albion (3PM kick-off).
