Match Report: Derby County 1-1 Shrewsbury Town

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

Max Bird's strike early in the second half looked to have been enough to earn the Rams all three points, but a late Aaron Pierre strike ensured the points were shared at Pride Park Stadium.

Key Moments

The Rams were inches away from taking the lead in the opening five minutes when Joe Ward's low corner evaded everybody and fizzed across the six-yard box before falling out of play for a throw-in on the opposite side of the pitch.

Neat play from Shrewsbury saw them work the first shot of the game when Tunmise Sobowale let fly from the edge of the area, but his effort drifted well wide.

Ward's crossing was proving problematic for the visitors and his free-kick from deep was nearly turned home by James Collins, but the Rams' top-scorer couldn't quite stretch enough to place his effort beyond Marko Marosi.

Forward Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was the next to test the Shrews backline with a mazy run and low cross but this time Marosi got down well to palm it away from danger.

The Rams were in front within the opening 10 minutes of the second half and it was Bird grabbing his second goal in as many home games. Mendez-Laing's low corner fell kindly to Bird six-yards out and the midfielder made no mistake, rifling home from close-range.

Captain Conor Hourihane nearly made it two direct from a free-kick but his curling effort was tipped over brilliantly by Marosi.

With the Rams seemingly cruising to victory, Aaron Pierre equalised in the 87th minute. Mal Benning got in down the left and pulled it back to Pierre who slotted home unmarked from six-yards.

It was then the visitors turn to then push for a winner and Carl Winchester nearly found one but his long-range strike was well saved by Wildsmith.

Six minutes of additional time were signalled and the Rams were agonisingly close to a winner. A free-kick from Hourihane was flicked on towards Curtis Nelson who headed towards goal only to see his effort cannon back off the crossbar.

Winger Tom Barkhuizen then had an effort brilliantly saved on the line by Marosi as time expired and the Rams had to settle for a point.

The Teams

Derby County: Wildsmith (GK), Hourihane, Bradley, Bird, Collins, Mendez-Laing, Sibley (73' Elder), Ward (46' Barkhuizen), Nyambe (86' Wilson), Adams (86' Thompson), Nelson.

Substitutes not used: Loach (GK), Smith, Blackett-Taylor.

Shrewsbury Town: Marosi (GK), Benning, Feeney, Winchester, Hinchy (73' Bennett), Udoh (80' Bowman), Sobowale (73' Idowu), Pierre, Bayliss (80' Perry), Dunkley (C), Shipley (73' O'Brien).

Substitutes not used: Burgoyne (GK), Sraha.