Waddock changed things up for this one with new faces and a new formation. Jones was in goal behind Kus, Shittu, Evatt and Milanese. Ainsworth, Bailey, Langley and Cook were across the middle of the park with Donnelly playing just ahead of them in a support role to Nygaard. This is something that had been tried in the reserves in the week with Donnelly apparently playing pretty well.

The players didn’t seem to be coming to terms with the new formation in the early stages. They were consistently playing the wrong sort of ball in to Nygaard. If you have a man coming from deep to support you need balls you can hold up rather than have to flick on. Whenever the ball was right though Nygaard’s first touch was letting him down and things were breaking down.

Cook looked to be the best outlet for Rangers and as usual he and Milanese were linking well. The tricky winger had two early shots that Lee Camp dealt with and later in the game he would create the goal and another gilt edged chance that should have won the match.

Tommy Smith managed to get in behind Rangers for Derby’s first real opening but his shot trickled across the face of goal. At the other end Ainsworth seemed to be in the clear as the ball found its way to him in the penalty area. As he prepared to shoot he stumbled and only managed to hack the ball into the stand.

Just after the half hour mark Rangers almost scored a fabulous goal. The ball was being moved well across the park and Ian Evatt advanced into the attacking third of the pitch to join in. He slipped a lovely ball inside the fullback for Milanese to rampage on to. He fizzed a great cross into the six yard box and Nygaard slid in but missed the ball by inches.

Derby responded through Smith again. The former Watford man seemed to be The Rams’ best chance of a goal and Paul Jones denied him when he cut in from the left and shot powerfully. At the other end Ainsworth tried a volley from fully forty yards that had Camp worried as it flew a foot past his post.

Late in the half Waddock changed things round in an attempt to get Donnelly into the game. Ainsworth moved to the support role and Donnelly moved to the right flank where he is more accustomed to playing. The young midfield prodigy had a shot deflected behind as the half drew to a close.

After the break Shittu almost scored a stunner. He won a ball that was more 70:30 than 50:50 deep in his own half and then set off through the Derby midfield. He slipped the ball into Nygaard and took his neat return ball in his stride. He shot left footed and Camp gathered easily in the end. It was a shame that he didn’t pick his head up as Cook had found loads of space to his left and could have perhaps made a better fist of the effort.

Derby had a good chance when Michael McIndoe ran in from the left flank to meet a cross from the right at the near post. Had he hit the target he would have given Jones a real problem but he failed to do so and the chance was gone.

Waddock decided to switch to a more conventional 4-4-2 formation and Donnelly was the man to make way. He had just started to get into the game and his substitution brought howls of derision from the crowd. It later transpires that he had a slight knock to his calf. Furlong came on in his place and the change seemed to work immediately and Rangers were ahead less than a minute later.

Furlong received the ball on the edge of the area and turned the ball wide into the path of Cook. His perfect cross was attacked forcefully by Nygaard. He flattened Michael Johnson as he flew in and his header gave Camp no chance. It is moments like this that make him very difficult to leave out. People will question his contribution in open play but you cannot argue with eight goals in eighteen starts.

Unfortunately the lead only last for eight minutes as Smith scored an excellent equaliser. He received the ball midway inside the Rangers half and was allowed by the midfield to run unopposed toward the area. Milanese was left completely exposed and Smith cut inside him before curling a lovely effort past Jones.

Rangers came back though and missed four great chances to get the winner. Firstly Shittu dragged a freekick just wide of the post with Camp scrambling to cover it. Then The Derby keeper was called into action when a Furlong effort bobbled its way toward goal. I thought Camp made a meal of what should have been an easy save as Furlong’s shot wasn’t cleanly struck by any means.

Lee Cook then created a tap in for Furlong as he tormented his fullback. He twisted one way then the other before delivering a perfect right footed cross that caught Camp on his heels. Furlong got the run on him and had an open goal to aim at but somehow contrived to send the ball away from the target. He didn’t really attack the ball as we have seen him do so often in the past and he looks like a man severely lacking in confidence.

There was still time for referee Kettle to send Darren Moore off for his second booking of the game. He was harshly booked earlier after a collision with Nygaard and when he blocked Cook he was walking. I am not going to make any further mention of Mr Kettle as his incompetent boobery simply doesn’t warrant it!

With Derby down to ten men Rangers had two final chances to win it. Furlong failed to make contact with a cross from the right when well placed before Ainsworth had a chance to give Nygaard a tap in. He had piled down the right and only had to cut the ball back to the big Dane who had pulled off of his man into acres of space. As always seems to be the way though Ainsworth just smashed the ball into the fullback. It was the third time he had done it in the half; I am not entirely sure how a winger manages to play on the wing without ever creating a goal for anyone! Thank god he gets some goals eh!

The final whistle brought a sense of frustration for the small end of season crowd as the realisation dawned that our one chance of getting a win from the remaining games had been and gone. Hand on heart you cannot see them getting anything from Norwich, Watford or Reading so the games should be used to try things out as this one was.

The keeper and back four were all solid today with Milanese at his rampaging best up and down the wing. In midfield Ainsworth was out of the game for much of the afternoon and Langley was simply awful. I saw him described on one message board as a two-bob stroller! I couldn’t have put it better myself, if he gets offered another year I will be staggered. Cook was involved in most of the decent chances Rangers created and Stefan Bailey had a terrific match in the middle of the park.

Donnelly couldn’t really get into the game in his Bergkamp style support role off of Nygaard. He looked much better when he moved back into midfield and was really starting to get involved when he was taken off. Nygaard was his usual enigmatic self, all poor touches and freekicks until he scored again! Furlong looked good with his hold up play when he came on but he can’t buy a goal at the minute and it is hurting us.

I don’t think I am alone in saying that I just want this season over with now. It has been as dull as it has been frustrating and I cannot wait for the final whistle at Reading in a couple of week’s time.

simon@qprnet.com