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The Rams were a match for a strong Blue birds side, but in the end class and experience made the difference between the two sides. A superb dribble and clinical finishing after 15 minutes, saw Michael Chopra beat three Derby defenders before slotting the ball past Stephen Bywater.
Derby did well to respond to the early set-back and were on a par with Cardiff and had a goal turned in by striker and new signing Tomasz Cywka.
As the half went into its final ten minutes Cardiff defender Kevin McNaughton fell awkwardly following a Derby Corner and the game was stopped for around ten minutes. McNaughton lay motionless after the incident and medics were hurriedly urged onto the field by players. He was finally taken away in a neck brace and spinal board and taken for Hospital checks. It is now not thought to be a serious injury, although this was the second time in the game McNaughton had taken a blow to the head, after an earlier accidental clash of head with the Derby's Tomasz Cywka, which left the Derby striker with a depressed cheek fracture.
All level at half time and nothing between the two sides left a second half to savour. The game was poised on a knife edge and it looked odds on that this game would end in a draw by a comedy of errors in the 78th minute saw Cardiff take all three points. A fierce shot from Whittingham of Cardiff was only half saved by Stephen Bywater in the Rams goal, as the ball bobbled loose from the keepers grip, Gareth Roberts looked to be odds on to clear the ball, or allow Bywater to grab the ball. Both however managed to get in each others way and the indecision saw the ball break to Chris Burke who only had to stroke the ball home.
Rams boss Nigel Clough was not happy following the mix-up that let a certain point elude the Rams. He said "Bywater should have held on to the ball, or Gareth should have cleared it".
So the Rams start their home games with a loss but the overall performance, whilst missing key players, such as Rob Hulse, gives Rams fans some hope for better performances during the season at Pride Park...