Derby County 2-2 Birmingham City: Rams snatch dramatic draw against Blues
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Krystian Bielik scored on his first appearance for exactly a year because of injury to earn Derby a point
Wayne Rooney's Derby County came from two goals down to draw 2-2 for the second time this month as the Championship's next-to-bottom club stunned Birmingham City.
On a day dominated by protesting Derby fans, Lee Bowyer's Blues further upset the mood by taking a 2-0 lead with a goal in each half for debutant Lyle Taylor and top scorer Scott Hogan.
But youngster Luke Plange gave Derby hope on 87 minutes when he showed remarkable coolness on the angle to beat two men and curl home a right-foot beauty.
Then, six minutes into added time, substitute Krystian Bielik returned from a year out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury to hit a late equaliser. It could have been disallowed, either for the offside Richard Stearman's headed pass or for the Polish midfielder's dangerous finish with an overhead kick that nearly connected with Blues defender Teden Mengi's head.
It was payback for Blues, who themselves fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Peterborough in midweek.
But, whatever the legitimacy of the equaliser, it possibly made up for what could have been a Derby penalty, prior to pulling a goal back. Home skipper Tom Lawrence's on-target effort was denied by on-loan Manchester United defender Mengi's unwittingly outstretched hand.
Blues, whose own fans were protesting against their owners just 10 days ago, can feel some sort of empathy with up-for-sale Derby's current uncertain plight. But they ought to have had this game wrapped up.
After going three months without a goal for Nottingham Forest, new Birmingham City signing Lyle Taylor scored just six minutes into his Blues debut at Derby
They went 1-0 up in the seventh minute when Onel Hernandez got the better of Blues old boy Curtis Davies to find fellow new signing Taylor on the left of the box. The former Nottingham Forest forward opened his body up to provide a right side-foot finish, which evaded Nathan Byrne's weak challenge and curled inside Ryan Allsop's left upright.
Taylor was denied a second by Derby keeper Allsop at the far post, but Blues were worth their half-time lead and, although Hogan missed two other good chances, they looked to have sealed victory with a second on 56 minutes.
Ryan Woods floated in a lovely ball from the right, Hogan made an unguarded near-post run and, although he scuffed his finish, it was a good enough connection to get past Allsop and find the bottom corner.
But, for all their problems this season, and following the departure of five players so far in the January window, Rams boss Rooney has created an undeniable backs-to-the-wall spirit at Pride Park. Once again they showed it here to grab a point.
The only downside was that, in scoring his goal, Bielik, who has had an injury nightmare since he came to Derby with two ACLs, went down heavily on his shoulder and may have incurred further damage for putting his body on the line.
Rams boss Wayne Rooney told BBC Radio Derby:
"That is a character I have been putting into these players. They represent me, not just the club. We are getting our rewards for the work we have put in.
"But that performance is not good enough. We have to have higher demands and expectations of ourselves. We were fortunate to pick up a point. Effort and determination has got us a point. It could be a huge point.
"Luke Plange didn't stop running. To do it so early in his career, it's no surprise Premier League teams are interested in him. But no players will be leaving, 100%. I can guarantee that will be the case."
On Krystian Bielik's injury: "I'm not 100% sure of the extent. Hopefully it's not too bad. It would be frustrating to lose him again. But we can get through with the players we have."
Birmingham City boss Lee Bowyer told BBC Radio WM:
"It's so frustrating, Obviously it hurts but the game should have been over.
"They should not have been in the game. We can't keep missing simple chances - that's what's costing us.
"But Derby are fighting for their lives and, like us on Tuesday night, if you get a goal back, it does lift the crowd."
Derby fans and players show 'defiance' - analysis
Thousands of Derby fans marched from the city centre before the game to show their support for the under-threat club
BBC Sport's Simon Stone at Pride Park
The song 'We're Derby County, we'll fight to the end' has never been more apt.
Sung four hours earlier by supporters battling to save their club, it was done so again at the final whistle as the Rams players celebrated their memorable comeback.
As days of defiance go, this could not have been much better.
No-one expected the numbers that marched to the stadium from the city centre.
The line down Pride Parkway stretched as far as the eye could see and took fully 10 minutes to go past.
If a statement was required about how much this football club means to its community, this was it.
There was no trouble, just determination and desire to make a point.
In truth, these fans cannot decide what happens to their club now.
But, if nothing else, they made it clear they are going nowhere.