Jerry Yates ensured Derby County returned from Deepdale.
The Rams returned with a share of the points after Yates’s first-half header cancelled out Sam Greenwood’s opener for Preston North End in a scrappy Sky Bet Championship encounter.
The result marked Derby’s fifth draw in seven matches, highlighting both their resilience and their ongoing struggles to turn tight games into victories. For Preston, it was another frustrating evening as they dropped points after taking the lead, leaving them with just one win in their last seven league outings.
Preston strike first through Greenwood
The opening exchanges lacked quality, with both sides struggling to find rhythm in a physical midfield battle. Kaine Kesler-Hayden had the game’s first meaningful effort, firing from distance in the 10th minute, but his strike was comfortably gathered by Derby keeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
Preston eventually broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute with a moment of individual brilliance. Andrew Hughes delivered a teasing cross into the box, and Sam Greenwood rose highest to meet it with a looping header that sailed into the far corner. It was Greenwood’s fourth goal in six matches and a reward for his sharp movement and aerial ability.
The hosts’ lead, however, was short-lived. Just six minutes later, Derby capitalized on a defensive lapse. Jack Whatmough’s poorly timed header fell kindly for Jerry Yates, who nodded home from close range to equalize. Yates’ fourth goal of the season showcased his predatory instincts and gave Paul Warne’s side the lifeline they needed.
Chances but no breakthrough
The remainder of the first half saw both sides create opportunities without finding the finishing touch. Greenwood almost added a second for Preston with a fierce shot from the edge of the box, forcing Zetterstrom into an acrobatic save.
At the other end, Liam Thompson’s clever play nearly caused chaos in the Preston defence, as Ben Whiteman came perilously close to turning the ball into his net under pressure.
Preston introduced Milutin Osmajic at halftime, with the striker returning from an eight-game ban for biting Blackburn’s Owen Beck. His presence gave the hosts more attacking impetus, but their final product remained inconsistent.
Both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances in the second half. Emil Riis and Kesler-Hayden both failed to connect cleanly with a dangerous Brad Potts cross, while Riis fired a speculative effort wide from 30 yards in the 69th minute.
Paul Warne turned to his bench, bringing on the experienced Nathaniel Mendez-Laing in search of a winner. Meanwhile, Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom introduced Mads Frokjaer to add creativity. Despite these changes, the match fizzled out with a series of misplaced passes and half-hearted attempts.
Derby had a late opportunity to snatch all three points when Marcus Harness found space outside the box, but the forward lashed his effort high over the bar following another poor defensive clearance from Preston.
Heckingbottom: “Disappointed to drop points”
Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom expressed his frustration at conceding so soon after taking the lead. While he was pleased with Greenwood’s goal, he admitted his side needed to manage games better in key moments.
“I’m not surprised by the game. It unfolded exactly as I thought it would,” Heckingbottom said. “The goal we scored probably came when the game settled down a bit. After a frantic start in the first five to 10 minutes, we started making passes, got control, and could use the spare midfielder on the outside.
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“It was a goal worthy of winning the game, but it’s so disappointing to concede a goal so quickly afterwards. We knew their biggest threat, and we let them hurt us with it.”
Heckingbottom also highlighted the need for more composure in the final third. “We created moments, but we didn’t make them count,” he added. “That’s something we have to improve on quickly.”
Warne: “Yates delivers when it matters”
Derby head coach Paul Warne was full of praise for Jerry Yates, whose header earned the Rams a valuable point. Warne credited Yates’ work ethic and sharpness in the box while emphasizing the importance of set-piece preparation.
“In fairness, I’d have scored that,” Warne joked. “He’s getting really good at scoring from three inches out, but it’s a skill. You have to be on the move and in the right place.
“We work on set pieces a lot because they’re such an integral part of the game. It’s about courage, delivery, and aggression, and Jerry embodies all of that.”
Warne also praised his squad’s resilience despite a lack of quality in certain areas. “I always try to sign good people who’ve got something to prove, and this group has that aggression and hunger,” he said. “It wasn’t the prettiest game, but it’s another point in a tough league.”
Frustration for both sides
The draw leaves both teams searching for answers. Derby remains unbeaten in three matches but has struggled to turn stalemates into wins. Preston, meanwhile, continues to drop points from winning positions, raising questions about their ability to close out games.
As the busy December schedule looms, both Heckingbottom and Warne will look to find consistency in their respective campaigns. For now, this encounter reflected the challenges both teams face: competitive but lacking the cutting edge needed to climb higher in the Championship standings.
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