Wayne Rooney was left to rue two late defensive lapses as Derby County were beaten 2-1 at Peterborough United on Saturday afternoon.
The Rams had looked on course for their first Sky Bet Championship victory of the 2021/22 season, after last weekend’s 1-1 home draw against Huddersfield Town, but the hosts had other ideas.
Chances were severely limited in the opening 45 minutes in a tight encounter at the Weston Homes Stadium, but the contest became more stretched and end-to-end in the second half.
Substitute Jack Stretton found the net on 77 minutes as Graeme Shinnie’s corner into the box wasn’t cleared and the Academy graduate was on hand to score his first goal for the club with a neat turn and strike from close range.
However, two stoppage-time goals turned the game on its head as Harrison Burrows and Siriki Dembele found the net to send the Rams home with nothing to show for their efforts.
Rooney felt his side were comfortable for large parts, especially after taking the lead, and has stressed the importance of making the most of going in front.
Speaking to RamsTV after the game, Rooney said: “I think it’s clear for everyone to see that we deserved to win the game.
“We were the better team and two individual errors have cost us, so it’s frustrating. For me as the manager, and also the coaches and the players, it’s frustrating.
“The players know they need to be better in those situations, seeing the game out, and these are ones we have to win and have to take advantage.
“I am not questioning the players at all, their desire to play and work, it’s just lapses in concentration which has cost us.”
He added: “We have to move on. We have match on Wednesday against Hull City so it’s a tough game for us so we have to close this one down, move on and get ready to go again.”
The Rams also had to deal with the blow of losing striker Colin Kazim-Richards just after half-time due to injury.
Kazim-Richards left the field on a stretcher and he will have the problem assessed in the coming days by the club’s medical staff.
Discussing the experienced striker’s injury, Rooney said: “It doesn’t look a good one, but we obviously need to have it assessed.
“It’s disappointing for Colin, but we’ll see what the situation is and take it from there.
“Jack Stretton came on in his place and took his goal really well. It was a great finish from Jack. That’s what Jack is, he is a box player and is clinical inside the penalty area so I’m pleased for him to get his goal.”
Derby are back on the road in the Championship on Wednesday night when they travel to Hull City (7:45pm kick-off).
