Post-Match Verdict: Conceding Late 'Hurts' - Collins

Derby County striker James Collins says conceding so late on in 1-1 draw against Portsmouth 'really hurts'.

The Rams looked to be on their way to three points after an 86th minute penalty from Collins but Colby Bishop equalised with almost the last kick of the game to ensure the points were shared in a 1-1 draw in Sky Bet League One.

Speaking to RamsTV after the game, Collins gave his verdict on the day.

On conceding late on...

It really hurts. When you get yourself in front with just a few minutes to go, it's always disappointing not to get the win. It wasn't our best performance today but we still somehow got into the lead. It always hurts more when you concede in the last minute, but that's football.

On the game itself...

It's frustrating. We've not had much luck recently but when we scored today looked like it was going to be our day. We need to see it out to the end as a group. There's nobody to blame but ourselves, we need to see games out better and especially at home.

Portsmouth are going to be right up there this year, they are no mugs, they are a good side and they've come here and performed well and probably got what they deserved.

On the performance...

It was OK at times. They are a good footballing team and have good players, and a good manager, but so are we and so have we.

It's football, nothing is going to be easy. Getting promoted from any league is tough. It's not going to go your way all year. We've just got to dust ourselves down and look to Tuesday night when we face Lincoln in the EFL Trophy and then going away to Carlisle in the league next week to put it right.

On his first goal this season at Pride Park...

I really enjoyed it to be fair, especially when I thought it was going to be the winner but it was nice and a bit of relief as well.

As strikers, we always want to score goals. Maybe I've not had the minutes I really wanted lately but you've got to be patient and coming on and scoring is always nice but it would have been nice if it was the winner.

On Tuesday night's EFL Trophy clash against Lincoln...

We need to get used to winning at home again so Tuesday is quite a big game really. People may think it's the EFL Trophy and it doesn't mean much but if you win cup games and get on a run, it helps with your league form. We need to be right at it, get a win on the board and get that feel-good factor back again.