Ellington rams home penalty as Derby march on
An injury-time penalty from Nathan Ellington sent Paul Jewell’s men into the semi-finals, the first time the Rams have reached that stage of a major cup competition since 1968.
Stoke, and Rory Delap, threw everything they at Derby’s determined defence, and fans who suffered through an embarrassing top-flight campaign last term at last had something to celebrate.
Stoke almost got off to a flying start in the second minute when Mamady Sidibe surged from halfway, but when his ball arrived at the far post, the unmarked Delap was unable to bring it under control, and the opportunity was lost.
The longer the game went on, however, the more it became a succession of long balls, set-plays and Delap’s throws. Stoke had an effort ruled out after 36 minutes when Richard Cresswell drilled a low shot past Rams goalkeeper Roy Carroll, only to find that he had been penalised for handball.
Swirling snow accompanied the start of the second period, and Kris Commons tested Simonsen within minutes. Derby’s Darren Powell was booked for a foul on Fuller, and from the free-kick Whelan curled in a fine effort that Carroll superbly tipped over.
With five minutes left, Derby replaced Hulse with Emanuel Villa, and with his first touch he blasted wide from 18 yards.
Extra-time loomed but in injury-time, Andy Griffin was judged to have handled a cross from Kazmierczak, and Ellington coolly rolled the ball home.
STOKE: Simonsen, Griffin, Cort, Sonko, Higginbotham, Delap, Olofinjana (Pugh 81), Whelan, Cresswell, Sidibe, Fuller.
DERBY: Carroll, Connolly, Powell, Tomkins, Stewart, Kazmierczak, Green (Teale 90), Addison, Commons, Hulse (Villa 86), Ellington.
Referee: Rob Styles.
Coca-Cola Football League Two: Luton 3 Bournemouth 3. Wycombe 4 Macclesfield 0.
FA Cup, second round: Morecambe 2 Cheltenham 3
Blue Square South: AFC Wimbledon 0 Eastleigh 2.
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