By TownFans.co.uk
October 23 2012

Town once again blew a lead to lose this evening's Npower League Championship match against Derby County with a late winner for the Rams leaving Paul Jewell's position as manager hanging by an ever thinning thread. 

Town made just one change from the side that lost 2-1 to Hull City at the weekend, with Andy Drury coming in for Daryl Murphy who did not even make the bench. Josh Carson was named on the bench in his place. DJ Campbell started as a loan striker with Drury playing just off the frontman.

For the fifth game in a row it was Town who took the lead. Half way through the first period, former Nottingham Forest center back Luke Chambers nodded forward full back Aaron Creswell's cross into the area with former Man Utd trainee Lee Martin threading the ball through to on-loan striker DJ Campbell who slid the ball past the visiting keeper to score his second for Town and make the score 1-0 to the blues. 

As on Saturday, the goal seemed to inspire Town and on the half hour mark they had a chance to double their advantage. Midfielder Emmanual-Thomas took the ball past several defenders with some sublime skill but his low shot was saved by visiting keeper Legzdins.

Just a few minutes before the break though, Town were made to rue that missed chance with Danny Higginbotham, who earlier had his loan extended until the end of December, sending a clearence high into the air rather than downfield, that allowed some neat interplay between Conor Sammon and Craig Bryson resulting in the former hitting a 20 yard shot which Town keeper Henderson could not hold on to, with Theo Robinson gratefully firing in the rebound to draw the scores level.

Just over quarter of an hour into the second half, a Derby side which were looking increasingly the more dangerous, were denied by a great piece of goalkeeping from Henderson. The stopper, on loan from West Ham United, dived at the feet of the impressive Sammon from around 5 yards out to keep things level.

Town's best chance of the second half came 15 minutes from time with a 30 yard free kick from the threatening Emmanual-Thomas. The former Arsenal man's well hit shot was pushed wide by visiting keeper Legzdins, with Town ultimately being unable to take full advantage of the resulting corner.

As the match entered injury time, with Town attempting to hold on for a point, once again they cracked. Substitute Nathan Tyson got on the end of Conor Sammon's cross and slid the ball past Town's on loan keeper Stephen Henderson to secure all three points for the away team and condemn Town to yet another late defeat.

The goal was greated by a chorus of boos and several chants of 'you're getting sacked in the morning' aimed at manager Paul Jewell from the Town support, once again showing their frustration of yet another opposition winner in the last few moments of the game.

Predictably the final whistle results in an even bigger round of jeering from the Sir Bobby Robson stand with several changes of 'Jewell Out' and 'Clegg Out' being just some of the post match chants to be heard. As at Saturday's game against Hull City, banners calling for Town boss Paul Jewell to be stripped of his position were unveiled.

The result leaves Town now bottom of the Npower League Championship following Peterborough's 3-1 win against Huddersfield Town with around a quarter of the season gone, four points from safety. Results will need to change as a matter of urgency if Town are to avoid being in anything but a relegation battle this campaign.

Town side: Henderson, Edwards, Chambers, Higginbotham, Cresswell, Emmanuel-Thomas, Reo-Coker, Wellens, Martin, Drury (Scotland 63), Campbell (Chopra 63).