Match Report: Cheltenham Town 1-1 Derby County

Derby County were held to a 1-1 draw by Cheltenham Town in Sky Bet League One action on Saturday afternoon.

Rob Street gave the home side the lead midway through the first half before defender Curtis Nelson headed in the equaliser with his first goal in a Rams shirt.

Despite pushing for a winner in the second half, the Rams were unable to find a winner as they extended their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions.

Key Moments

It was a bright start for the Rams who were able to test home keeper Luke Southwood within the opening 30 seconds. Neat interplay between Tom Barkhuizen and Martyn Waghorn saw the latter let fly from 20-yards and his effort was well held by the Cheltenham stopper.

Owen Bevan cleared over from under his own bar as Eiran Cashin hooked a Nathaniel Mendez-Laing corner towards goal as Derby County continued to pile on the early pressure.

Will Ferry had the first chance for the home side, firing just wide from the edge of an area after a good run from inside of his own half.

The Robins were having a promising spell and James Olayinka was inches away from breaking the deadlock when his shot from 20-yards sailed just past Joe Wildsmith's far post.

Mendez-Laing fired a half-volley into the side netting following a corner as the Rams looked to swing the pendulum back into their favour at the back end of the half.

But it was the home side that took the lead in the 41st minute through Rob Street. Will Goodwin did well down the right and crossed low for Street who slid in at the back post to the give the Robins the lead.

The Rams were level with virtually the last kick of the first-half and it was Curtis Nelson with his first goal in a Derby County shirt.

James Collins headed a Tom Barkhuizen corner towards goal. Collins' header was superbly saved by Southwood but Nelson was there to follow in and power a header into the back of the net and ensure the scores were level at the break.

Max Bird was introduced at the break and was instantly involved in play and putting the Rams on the front foot.

Eiran Cashin headed over from a Barkhuizen corner and Bird volleyed agonisingly wide from a tight angle at the edge of the box.

Barkhuizen was involved in all of the Rams' positive play going forward and he again set up a chance, this time for Collins who forced Southwood into a smart save on the spin.

Cheltenham's first chance of the second period nearly brought with it a goal when Liam Sercombe found a yard of space and fired just wide from the edge of the box.

As we entered the final 10 minutes a golden chance fell the Rams way. Bird and Barkhuizen combined well down the left and the latter crossed low for Collins who slid in and was denied brilliantly at point-blank range by Southwood once more.

Six minutes of additional time were signalled and with seconds expiring Collins fired agonisingly over from the edge of the box and both sides had to settle for a point in Gloucestershire.

The Teams

Cheltenham Town: Southwood (GK), Long (C) (18' Bradbury), Bevan, Freestone, Sercombe, Goodwin (73' Keena), Street (61' Malcolm), Ferry, Olayinka (61' Thompson), Bonds, Smith (61' Williams).

Substitutes not used: Harris (GK), Butler-Oyedeji.

Derby County: Wildsmith (GK), Forsyth, Cashin, Barkhuizen (82' Washington), Collins, Waghorn (67' Hourihane), Mendez-Laing (67' Wilson), Smith, Fornah (46' Bird), Nyambe, Nelson.

Substitutes not used: Vickers (GK), Bradley, Sibley.

What's Next Up?

It's a break from Sky Bet League One action on Tuesday evening for the Rams when travel to Sky Bet League Two outfit Notts County for game two of their EFL Trophy campaign (7pm kick-off).