Derby County were held to a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane but a controversial decision helped shape the outcome in a pulsating Championship clash

John Eustace kept his counsel on referee Stephen Martin after Dion Sanderson's red card at Sheffield United as Derby County clung on for a point at Bramall Lane . Derby had looked well on course for a second win of the season after Bobby Clark had given them the lead in the first half with his third goal of the campaign.

But the game turned on its head in the 66th minute when Sanderson picked up a second yellow card, and that left Derby's backs against the wall. Their resistance was broken when Patrick Bamford forced Romelle Donavan's cross past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom who made two outstanding saves to keep the score down.

Eustace wouldn't be drawn on the referee's performance too much but preferred to concentrate on the players' fighting spirit.

"I haven't seen it back, but obviously if Dion is on a yellow card and with the way the referee refereed the game today, he's probably always going to get another yellow, so he can't be doing it," said Eustace.

"It's disappointing, but listen, the fighting spirit and the togetherness with the group was there for everyone to see. Over the course of the season up to now we've had our so-called better players not available and the players that have performed have been excellent.

"Their attitude has been very, very good. We've lost games by the odd goal, and have just missed that little bit of quality and nous. We brought Jacob back in and he's a top goalkeeper and one of the best in the league and pulls two fantastic saves off at the end.

"We brought Henrik in for his second start of the season. He made a huge difference to us. We looked more like a physical presence, which we haven't had in previous matches. It's about getting the group back together, finding the right solutions. I thought the balance of the team was excellent and I was really pleased with it."

Derby ended the game with Carlton Morris playing at centre-back while Jack Robinson was thrown on for his debut after arriving as a free agent.

And Eustace added: "I am very proud of the effort of the group," he said. "I thought we were excellent. In the first half I thought we were fully in control of the game against a really physical and top championship team and reduced them to next to nothing. We always looked a threat on the turnover.

"We played some good football, we created a fantastic goal and then at the start of the second half we knew we'd be under a bit of pressure. Just before the red card, we obviously created a few chances, so I am really disappointed not to get all three points.

"But the last 25-30 minutes, whatever it was and the way the group defended for their lives was excellent. I think we've got one defender on the pitch at one point to go up against a really good physical team that are going to put the ball in the box. They sustained attacks and overall I was really pleased with the way we defended."

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