Derby County 1-0 Peterborough United: Louie Sibley gives Rams dramatic late win
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Louie Sibley celebrates his first league goal of the season
Louie Sibley's stoppage-time winner saw Derby edge past Peterborough United in their crucial basement match at Pride Park.
Patience finally paid off for the dominant Rams as Sibley fired a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area in the second minute of added time.
Posh had Hayden Coulson sent off 10 minutes before the break after the left-back picked up two bookings in just four minutes, but the hosts then lost skipper Tom Lawrence to a straight red card two minutes after the break when his leading arm struck Nathan Thompson.
Victory sees Wayne Rooney's Derby leapfrog their opponents on goal difference into 22nd, just five points from safety despite being deducted 21 points this season for financial breaches and going into administration.
The Rams, who have won five of their past six matches at Pride Park, controlled the first half against a side who have lost all but two of 16 league matches on the road and picked up just four away points this season.
But they could not find a way past Posh goalkeeper Steven Benda, who turned Lawrence's powerful strike around the post after a driving run from the dangerous Festy Ebosele, and was then at full stretch to thwart Max Bird's first-time shot.
The Rams looked to have a crucial advantage when left-back Coulson went after a reckless challenge on Ebosele, but it lasted less than 15 minutes as Lawrence was then dismissed.
Despite losing their skipper Derby remained on top, but looked out of luck when Luke Plange's shot hit the upright and was scooped off the line, with referee James Linington looking to his watch to confirm the ball had not crossed the line.
Yet Sibley proved the difference, shooting narrowly wide moments after his 71st-minute introduction before showing composure to finally beat Benda.
Peterborough, meanwhile, have failed to score in their past five league matches and have by far the worst goal difference in the division.
Derby County manager Wayne Rooney told BBC Radio Derby:
"I think today was the best performance of the season. The first half we were very good. They go to 10 men and it was about us being patient.
"Then obviously we lose Tom. It was a silly red card, he knows that, he's lost his head. I just said to him he's lucky he's got a manager who understands that because I've had a few myself like that.
"We were in complete control of the game, we were constantly putting them under pressure and making them work and work,
"The way the game was opening up I thought it was a game for Sibs (Louie Sibley) to show his qualities and I'm delighted for him - he's obviously had a frustrating season. It was a massive three points."
Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire:
"It's a tough one to take. You can imagine how we're all feeling in the dressing room after putting so much into a game of football.
"Sometimes as a manager all you ask of your players is to give everything and no one can doubt that set of players gave absolutely everything today.
"A week that we felt was going to be pivotal towards the season, to only get one point is very disappointing. They were three games we felt we could win and to only get one point is a huge disappointment.
"The amount of shots we had and the shots on target is nowhere near enough. We are just lacking quality at times. Not heart, desire or effort - just pure quality and it's tough for the lads."