POST-MATCH INTERVIEW: ‘We showed character and endeavour in the second half and merited a draw’ - Warne

Head Coach Paul Warne admitted a spirited performance in the second half wasn’t enough as Derby County fell to a 2-1 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.

The Rams got back level at 1-1 midway through the second period after an own goal from Potters goalkeeper Viktor Johansson after a mistake by centre-back Ben Gibson. A penalty from Tom Cannon put the hosts in the lead in the first half and Gibson made up for his error heading in a winner in the 82nd minute.

Warne caught up with RamsTV after the side's first loss in a month in the Potteries.

On defeat against Stoke City…

I don’t think we were the best version of ourselves today. Although we started well, we let attacks fizzle out and took too many touches in the middle of the park. We also conceded possession in the centre of the park. They overloaded us down the flank which caused some problems in our attack. Giving away the penalty was frustrating for us as we had spoken about the importance of the first 15 minutes of the game.

On switching systems at half time…

We had to make changes and went to a back three. I thought we were a bit braver in the second half. I appreciate it’s going to make us open at times, but you have to accept that when you need a goal and are chasing the game. I thought the lads’ effort levels in the second half merited a point. For us to lose on a goal like the one we conceded was frustrating.

On the performance overall…

There was plenty of character and endeavour in the second half with some good pockets of play, but I just feel that we didn’t have it for the entirety of the half. When we scored I believed we could come away with the win. James Collins had trained really well in the week and I fancied him to get something from a set piece, but it wasn’t to be.