Rams close gap to stay in hunt

CHAMPIONSHIP: DERBY COUNTY 2, SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 1

- By LEIGH CURTIS

Ben Brereton Diaz celebrates after opening the scoring for Derby County (main picture) against Sheffield Wednesday.

(PICS: PA)

DERBY County closed the gap on the Championship playoffs to six points as they beat crisis-stricken Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Pride Park Stadium.

Ben Brereton Diaz had given John Eustace’s side the lead only for ex-Rams striker Jerry Yates to equalise soon after.

The Rams had taken the lead when a lovely pass from Rhian Brewster released Ben Brereton Diaz, who scampered clean through with keeper Pierce Charles advancing towards him.

But the Chile international kept his composure to slot past him for his fifth goal of the season.

He could have scored a second moments later when he scooped over the bar from a Brewster cross, before Sam Szmodics’ audacious attempt from inside his own half dropped wide of the post.

But as the hosts sensed further goals, Wednesday were level when a heavy touch from Dion Sanderson allowed Jamal Lowe possession and his cross was headed in by former Rams striker Jerry Yates.

A header from Brewster cleared the bar as Derby looked to restore their lead but it was Matt Clarke who eventually scored when he glanced home a terrific cross from Joe Ward.

Derby could have extended their lead in the second half when Patrick Agyemang fired wide of the far post before Brereton Diaz was denied by Charles’ legs.

Another three points in the bank

At this stage of the season and with 10 games remaining, results over performances are what matters when you are at the business end of the campaign.

This victory, while not vintage Rams, left them three points off the top six ahead of what you sense is going to be a fascinating run-in.