While Robbie Savage admitted Sheffield United's late equaliser felt like a defeat for Derby County, the Rams skipper was determined to focus on the positives.

The midfielder crashed the Rams ahead early on at Bramall Lane and his second goal of the season looked as if it was going to be enough to hand Derby all three points.

But the Blades denied Derby at the death, and it was a real case of mixed emotions for Savage when facing the press post-match.

He told dcfc.co.uk: "Our failure to win the game was in the first half, where we were magnificent to be honest.

"We played superbly, but our failure to take our chances when we could have been 2-0 or 3-0 up cost us.

"We're disappointed to draw because we were magnificent; that is the most I have seen us in control of a game and it does feel like a loss to be honest.

"But make no mistake about it, we want to take the positives from today because it was a magnificent away performance.

"In fact, I think we played better today than we did against Forest."

On his second goal of the campaign - another cracker - Savage said the strike meant little given the way the game ended.

"It was a cracking strike, but it means nothing really because we ended up drawing the game," he said.

"It isn't about Robbie Savage though, it is about Derby County and I'm just disappointed we didn't win the game."

Derby are back in action on Tuesday evening when Coca-Cola Championship leaders Newcastle United come to Pride Park.

On that game, Savage said: "Newcastle is a big game for us, we have put in good performances against the top sides this season and I am sure we will again on Tuesday.

"We have to get on the front foot like we have done in the last few weeks in games.

"If we do, we will have a hell of a chance."