Rams fightback breaks Rovers hearts

Rams substitute Steven Davies scored the winner from the penalty spot three minutes from time, but the Coca-Cola Championship strugglers looked to be crashing out when Rovers took a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes.

Goals from Jonathan Smith and Alex Lawless put Jim Harvey's side in command, but Rob Hulse threw the Rams a lifeline by pulling a goal back six minutes before the break and a Martin Albrechtsen header restored parity on the stroke of half-time. Paul Stonehouse put the home side back in front against the run of play with 18 minutes remaining, but Paul Green levelled five minutes later before Davies bagged the winner.

The visitors looked vulnerable at the back and fell behind after 13 minutes when Albrechtsen's header fell into the path of Smith, who smashed a right-foot strike past Roy Carroll from just outside the penalty area.

And there was worst to come for Chris Hutchings' side when Forest Green doubled their lead seven minutes later. The Derby defence failed to deal with Simon Clist's direct ball forward and Lawless slotted a right-foot finish past Carroll to stun the visitors.

But Derby got back into the game when Kris Commons crossed from the right and Hulse forced Terry Burton to make a save, but prodded the rebound home.

And Albrechtsen headed Hutchings' side level on the stroke of half-time when he headed Commons' inviting cross home from point-blank range.

But with their first notable attack of the second half Rovers regained the lead with 18 minutes remaining. Clist produced the assist from the left wing and Carroll failed to keep out full-back Stonehouse's shot from 20 yards out.

But Derby responded four minutes later when substitute Nacer Barazite's ball forward was flicked on by Hulse into the path of Green, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

And the comeback was complete three minutes from time when Commons raced towards goal and was upended by Lawless, who was shown a straight red card, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Davies kept his composure to ensure the Rams' name will be in the hat for the fourth round.