Late blow but future is looking bright for Rams after fine work in summer

A STOPPAGE-time penalty from Jack Clarke denied Derby County their first Championship win of the season against title favourites Ipswich Town as they fought out a 2-2 draw at Portman Road.

- By LEIGH CURTIS

The Rams had fallen behind when Jacob Greaves headed into an empty net but Carlton Morris levelled after the break from the penalty spot after Leif Davis handled a Rhian Brewster shot.

The former Liverpool striker then put the Rams in front when he pounced on a defensive clearance with a brilliant first touch and held off two challenges to slide the ball past Alex Palmer.

But Clarke snatched a point for the hosts when substitute David Ozoh fouled Jack Taylor to concede a penalty. Clarke to made no mistake from the spot.

The Rams started brightly, with Clark drawing a foul on the edge of the box that presented Brewster with a chance to test Palmer in goal but his shot cannoned into the wall.

Morris then engineered space to have a shot at goal but his effort was deflected behind for a corner, which came to nothing.

Ipswich gradually began to make their presence felt as Davis struck a shot into the ground that was saved by Jacob Widell Zetterstrom before Greaves headed over Ashley Young’s corner.

The hosts eventually made the breakthrough when a corner from Young tempted Zetterstrom off his line but he missed it and Greaves headed into an empty net.

Young then struck a shot just beyond the post as Ipswich chased a second goal but it was Derby who levelled in the second half when Clark chipped a wonderful pass over the top to put Brewster in the clear.

Davis raced across to block his shot but used his arm and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Morris made no mistake with the penalty.

At the other end, George Hirst went down in the box under a challenge from Matt Clarke but the ref booked the former for simulation.

The Rams struck next when Brewster pounced on a defensive header to bring the ball under control with a sublime touch before he surged into the box to slide a shot past Palmer.