Patrick off the mark as Rams slug it out with Soton

PATRICK Agyemang scored his first goal for Derby County as they held Southampton to a 1-1 draw in a fascinating Championship clash at Pride Park.

- By LEIGH CURTIS

The American struck in the 40th minute when he headed in Andi Weimann’s cross as he finally opened his account following his £5.9m switch from Charlotte FC in the summer.

That goal cancelled out Adam Armstrong’s early opener, when he bundled his way through the Derby defence to slot past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom after seven minutes.

Derby’s response was almost immediate when Carlton Morris found Bobby Clark, who prodded the ball in to Andi Weimann, who was denied by Alex McCarthy.

The ball came back to Morris, whose first-time strike whistled past the upright.

The striker was doing his best to get Derby back on level terms, as he then forced another save from McCarthy.

Southampton were on the back foot and Max Johnston floated a teasing ball towards the six-yard box, where it fell invitingly for Weimann, but it struck his shins and was gratefully collected on the goalline.

Just as Derby hoped to build on their momentum, they were given a reminder of the visitors’ threat when Ryan Manning crossed for Ross Stewart, whose header produced an instinctive stop from Zetterstrom.

Leo Scienza was next to try his luck, as he struck from distance and while it was straight at Zetterstrom, the sheer pace of the strike forced him to palm it away from danger.

But in what was an absorbing contest for the neutral, Derby were level before halftime.

While Manning was arguing with the referee's assistant about whether he had conceded a throw, Johnston took it quickly and found Weimann, whose cross was powerfully met by Agyemang.

After the break, Scienza had another attempt from distance, as his grasscutter rolled past the post.