Derby draw with unbeaten Brighton

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12 Dec 2015

Chris Martin's late penalty earned promotion-chasing Derby a draw against unbeaten Championship leaders Brighton.

James Wilson flicked home his second goal in two starts to put the visitors ahead against the run of play, but Bradley Johnson's far-post header levelled matters by half-time.

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Chris Hughton on Derby v Brighton

Rajiv van La Parra's strike, after a swift counter-attack, looked to have secured victory for the Seagulls.

But Martin made it 2-2 after Gordon Greer fouled Johnny Russell.

Martin's coolly taken spot-kick denied Brighton a win, but they remain unbeaten in 20 league games this season and stay two points clear at the top of the table after Middlesbrough's goalless draw away at Birmingham City.

The fine run looked in doubt early on as Derby, who drop a place to fourth, could have been ahead inside a minute through a Tom Ince strike that was deflected wide.

It set the tone for a bright start by the hosts with Martin having a shot saved, and Jason Shackell seeing a header cleared off the line before Ince volleyed straight at goalkeeper David Stockdale.

Brighton were lively on the break and went in front when on-loan Manchester United striker Wilson slotted the ball in from Jamie Murphy's fine cross following good work by Inigo Calderon.

Derby, who themselves have only lost twice in the league, slowly recovered and Johnson's towering header from Jacob Butterfield's deep corner deservedly brought them level.

Both sides struggled to create clear chances after the interval, but Brighton's quality on the break was apparent again when Dutch substitute Van La Parra sent the ball past keeper Lee Grant after Johnson was dispossessed in midfield.

Martin almost levelled after a sloppy backpass before scoring his first goal in seven games when his 87th-minute penalty beat Stockdale.

Derby boss Paul Clement:

"We didn't deserve to lose the game, our start was very positive and then they produced a real moment of quality with a well taken goal against the run of play.

"A lot of credit goes to our players for not giving up, to keep going, and it was a cool finish from Chris (Martin) under real pressure. They had a difficult game to today and our players afterwards felt like it was a loss.

"We have a good record at home and that's the standards we are working towards but overall it's a hard fought point and I would have been really disappointed if we had lost that game."

Brighton boss Chris Hughton:

(On the late penalty) "I thought it was very harsh. Unless somebody shows me a different angle, from the one I've seen there's no doubt Gordon dives in because he has to but I don't see contact.

"The win would have meant a lot to us and we are disappointed but I think you have to give our players credit to come here against a team on such a good run with the quality they've got and I don't think anyone would have begrudged us the win."

Derby players celebrate their first-half equaliser against Brighton, their 16th home goal in 10 Championship matches

Rajiv van La Parra celebrates his goal against Derby

Dutch winger Rajiv van La Parra, who is on loan from Wolves, scored his first goal in his second substitute appearance

Chris Martin scores from the penalty spot

Chris Martin's goal was his first goal in seven games

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Derby County

01 Grant
02 Christie
06 Keogh
14 Shackell
37 Warnock
18 Butterfield (Hendrick - 74' )
34 Thorne (Bent - 80' )
15 Johnson Booked
23 Ince
09 Martin
24 Weimann (Russell - 63' )

Substitutes

08 Hendrick
10 Bent
11 Russell
12 Baird
16 Pearce
32 Shotton
35 Mitchell

Brighton & Hove Albion

13 Stockdale
02 Bruno
03 Greer
05 Dunk
14 Calderon
20 March (van La Parra - 27' )
06 Stephens
07 Kayal
15 Murphy
21 Wilson (Zamora - 82' )
10 Hemed Booked (Ince - 82' )

Substitutes

01 Mäenpää
04 Hünemeier
19 Manu
24 Ince
25 Zamora
27 van La Parra
28 Chicksen

Ref: Lee Mason

Att: 30,537

Match Stats

Possession 61 39

Shots

19 8

On target

7 3

Corners

7 4

Fouls

9 11

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Derby County 2, Brighton and Hove Albion 2.

90:00 +5:07 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Derby County 2, Brighton and Hove Albion 2.

90:00 +3:29

Richard Keogh (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90:00 +3:29

Foul by Lewis Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion).

90:00 +2:56

Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Jason Shackell.

90:00 +1:11

Foul by Tom Ince (Derby County).

90:00 +1:11

Lewis Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

89:34

Hand ball by Bobby Zamora (Brighton and Hove Albion).

89:00

Foul by Cyrus Christie (Derby County).

89:00

Jamie Murphy (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

87:25 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Derby County 2, Brighton and Hove Albion 2. Chris Martin (Derby County) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.