Rams’ derby despair at Colne

Home team Colne started the contest on the front foot with Bradley Knox testing Sam Ashton early on and a free kick striking the post, with the rebound sent over the bar.

As the first period continued Rammy grew into the game and created some goalscoring chances with Jerome Wright heavily involved, firstly testing the keeper with a free kick before having a shot blocked.

Wright went close with another free kick that narrowly cleared the bar and some good link-up play sent Jamie Rother scurrying down the right, his inviting cross just evading Lee Gaskell.

Just before the break a flashpoint between Rother and an opponent led to the Rams midfielder being shown a red card, allegedly for throwing a punch.

The decision incensed the Rams players and bench alike and manager Mark Fell was sent from the dugout as the half finished on a contentious note.

In the second half Colne looked to take advantage of the extra player but it was the Rams that looked more of a threat and Phil Dean stung the palms of Hakan Burton from distance.

Colne responded and, after a header went wide of Ashton’s post, further chances were cleared by the visitors’ defence and they looked set to come away with at least a point after a positive second-half performance.

But, with half of the four minutes of stoppage time gone, disaster struck for the Rams as a cross from the left was cleared to the edge of the box where Matty Morgan unleashed a sweetly-struck shot that gave Ashton no chance and cruelly decided the match in the home team’s favour, leaving Rammy still searching for their first clean sheet on the road.

It was heartbreaking for the Rams to concede so late in the match, the third time in the last five outings a goal in time added on had cost them valuable points.

Fell said: “I’m gutted for the players, they worked themselves into the ground, carved out the best chances and looked the better side with 10 men, only to be hit by an excellent strike.”