Oxford United were held to a goalless draw at Pride Park this evening in a game of few chances at either end. Backed by a superb Tuesday night following, Oxford played some good football, especially in the second half, although they rarely found a way through a determined Rams defence.
Gary Rowett made three changes to the side that lost at Burnley last Tuesday, with Peter Kioso replacing Sam Long at right back, Siriki Dembélé coming back in for Tyler Goodrham, and Mark Harris replacing the injured Tom Bradshaw, giving Stan Mills his first place in an Oxford United squad since his injury at the start of January last year.
The opening ten minutes were quite cagey, both teams looking to keep possession and pry for openings that were never really forthcoming. Kenzo Goudmijn had the first shot of the game in the 14th minute and although it went wide it was the signal for the game to briefly get a bit livelier.
In the 24th minute, Oxford's first attempt at goal came from Dembélé, whose 20-yarder was turned over by Jacob Zetterström. Five minutes later, a Derby corner led to a bit of a scramble, requiring a couple of defensive blocks from the United defence before Matt Clarke shot over.
Just before the break Goudwijn made space and his shot was blocked as far as Nathaniel Mendez-Lang, who shot straight at Jamie Cumming.
The second half started with United on the front foot and after a foul on Dembélé, Cameron Brannagan's free kick forced Zetterström into a smart save at his near post.
Derby increased the pressure without creating any clear chances apart from one Cumming save from a corner, but with the introductions of Rúben Rodrigues and Mills making his first appearance since rejoining the club, the tide started to turn in United's favour.
With four minutes remaining a flowing move ended with Mills cross finding Greg Leigh at the back post but his driven shot was blocked by the wall of defenders, before Ciaron Brown shot over from distance with what was to prove the last chance of the match.
A point on the road is never to be sneezed at, and the clean sheet will be welcomed. Next up is another big game, at home to Portsmouth on Saturday.
UNITED: Cumming, Brown, Vaulks, Płacheta (Mills 65), Brannagan, Harris (Phillips 89), Matos (Rodrigues 65), Leigh, Dembélé (Goodrham 80), Kioso, Helik
Unused subs: Ingram, Long, Romeny, El Mizouni, ter Avest
Attendance: 25,999 (away TBA)
Report: Martin Brodetsky; Photography: JasonPix, Steve Edmunds
