Striker Martyn Waghorn was left disappointed at full time as Derby County only picked up one point on the road in a 2-2 draw against Barnsley - and admits his side need to finish games off when in a winning position.


The Rams fell behind early in the game, however, they responded well with two goals before half time. Chris Martin netted his third in as many games, whilst Tom Huddlestone converted a penalty to ensure Derby led at the break.

Derby had chances to further extend their lead but struggled to put their opponents to bed.

That would bite them in the backside in the final minute of the game as a driven effort from Conor Chaplin found the bottom corner, via Cauley Woodrow, for Barnsley as the points were shared at Oakwell.

“We ultimately feel like it’s a loss,” Waghorn told RamsTV. “We have thrown two points away from a very good position. We had plenty of opportunities to go and finish the game off.

“We showed a lot of character to come back from a goal down. We didn’t necessarily deserve to go 2-1 at half time because we were quite fortunate at times, we left ourselves open but we need to build on that.

“We need to kill games off because if we get the third goal then it’s a non-contest then.

“They played cat and mouse, kept boys forward and it’s up to us to make the most of it. Whether that might be the final pass, the wrong decision and you just need to make one or two passes to suck them in the other side.

“We didn’t manage the game well in the second half and it’s ultimately cost us two points which would have been a good victory building on the win against Birmingham.

“It feels like a loss but it’s a point in the right direction. We wanted three, of course, but there is another game in three days’ time against Luton Town that we need to attack in front of our own fans.

“We need to build on last Saturday's win, build on the atmosphere and we need to build momentum in this league. Hopefully we can get three points on Saturday, go into the break and work on a few areas that we need to improve on.

“We have had a lot of changes in the last week or so and it gives us a chance to work on areas, get going and get three points in the league to move forward.”


Martin’s goal on 34 minutes was testament to his eagerness in the box. He pounced on a loose ball and got the Rams level, but it’s his all-round play which Waghorn praised.

“You know what you are going to get with Chrissy,” he said. “He is a focal point for the team and it allows me, Tom Lawrence, Jamie Paterson and Duane Holmes to gamble and work off what he is about.

“In front of the goal, he is ruthless. He is clinical and when he gets a chance, nine times out of ten he puts it away."

And the striker explained the decision behind Huddlestone taking tonight’s penalty, with Waghorn having taken four this season.

He scored two, but saw the other two saved by opposing goalkeepers.

“It was in place from the game I missed the other penalty against West Bromwich Albion,” he admitted. “I completely understood the decision and it’s the right thing for the team.

“Whatever works for the team is the right thing to do so I understood it. Tom has unbelievable technique and that’s just the way it is.

“It happens in football but if I’m called on again in the future then I’m more than happy to do it. It’s what the manager wants, it’s what is best for the team and that was the right decision.”