Craig Short was pleased with his side’s reaction as Derby County Under-23s fought back from two early goals to salvage a 2-2 draw against Blackburn Rovers.
It took the opening half hour for the Rams to settle into the game after a sluggish start to their Premier League 2 Division 1 opener. Stefan Mols and Hayden Carter both struck in the first 10 minutes for the newly promoted side.
However, following a superb save from Henrich Ravas to palm away a shot that had snuck behind him, Short’s side kicked into gear.
Short has praised the Rams for the character they showed to pull back two goals.
“It’s cliché in football, but you start sloppy and it’s hard to get a foot on the game,” he told RamsTV following the match.
“I was pleased we got back into it and I’m pleased we didn’t go under because it could have been 2-0 going to 3-0, but Henrich made a wonderful save, then we got a lucky goal.
“I was pleased with the reaction, I think second half we looked pretty comfortable.”
Cameron Cresswell capitalised on a miscommunication between Rovers ‘keeper and defender and deflected a failed clearance attempt into the net.
The 18-year-old was moved out wide with the addition to Chris Martin in the line-up but just as he proved last season stepping up as a centre-forward, he showed his strengths again in the altered role.
His goal may have been a lucky break but was a reward for his effort and relentlessness throughout.
“He showed a lot of appetite for the game, he has been a bit more physical and very brave,” Short added.
“It was a bit of a 50/50 with the goal keeper, it didn’t look as though he was favourite and probably shouldn’t have scored from there.”
Alex Babos secured a point with purposeful volley moments after the break and was the second-half start the Rams needed to take control.
Despite a few great chances, most notably from Chris Martin, Derby’s attempts to complete the comeback for three points fell short.
“For Alex Babos, we call it lettuce foot, sometimes he gets in that position and doesn’t quite produce but he took his goal very well and was a threat towards the end of the game.
“The second half I think we controlled it a bit more, had a few chances but really I would have liked to have gone on to win it.”
