Patrick Bamford was injured in the act of scoring Sheffield United’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw with struggling 10-man Derby.
Bobby Clark gave the visitors a first-half lead with Bamford levelling the scores late in the game, only to limp off amid the celebrations.
After a quiet start, the game burst into life around the half-hour mark with efforts on goal at either end.
Derby threatened when the ball fell to Clark following a cross from Joe Ward and his firm drive was well saved by Michael Cooper down to his right.
Carlton Morris then found himself through on goal and fired in a shot on target which was saved by Cooper with his legs.
United’s first effort of note came from Kalvin Phillips, whose long-range strike forced a save from Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
Derby took the lead in the 37th minute when Ryan Hedges, on the left-hand side of the area, saw his low shot come back off the near post and the ball fell to Clark, who fired into the net from inside the D.
Blades boss Chris Wilder made a double substitution shortly before the hour-mark, sending on Sydie Peck and Femi Sereki.
Ben Brereton Diaz put an effort off target for the hosts while Derby’s Sammie Szmodics chested the ball down before volleying over.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute when Dion Sanderson received a second booking following a clumsy challenge on Sereki.
After Romelle Donovan had an effort saved by Zetterstrom, the substitute played a key role in the equaliser.
The goal came in the 79th minute when Donovan delivered a probing cross to the far post and Bamford was on hand to bundle the ball over the line from close range. Bamford was injured in the process, however, after falling awkwardly and he had to be replaced.
Peck fired in a shot on target but it was straight at Zetterstrom who made a comfortable save.
Tyrese Campbell and fellow substitute Peck had chances to win it for the hosts in time added on.
Campbell saw his shot on the turn force a fine save from Zetterstrom, who turned the ball onto the bar and away, then Peck fired in a shot which the keeper was again equal to.
Donovan saw his shot comfortably saved and in the dying seconds of the game United skipper Japhet Tanganga put an effort straight at Zetterstrom.
The result means that Derby have won just once in their opening 12 games of the season.
The managers
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder:
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Derby head coach John Eustace:
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