Derby County scored late on to open up their account in the Checkatrade Trophy with a hard fought 2-2 draw against high-flying Sky Bet League 2 side Doncaster Rovers.

Despite gaining an early advantage through James Wilson in the 8th minute, two second half goals from the hosts – courtesy of Liam Mandeville and Will Longbottom – looked to be enough to seal all the points for the hosts.

However, a late goal snatched by Andreas Weimann saw Derby force the fixture to a penalty shootout but it was the hosts who claimed the extra point at stake by edging out 4-3 winners.

In a game full of chances, it was Derby who started the proceedings strongly immediately after a well-timed tackle from Wilson allowed him to find space and hit the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal from distance.

After gaining an early advantage, the Rams continued to play with flair as they caused Doncaster problems with their counter-attacks on a number of occasions.

On 14 minutes, a break of pace from Blackman saw space open up ahead of him and he would have only had Marko Marosi to beat had it not have been for a late foul committed by Joe Wright 30 yards outs.

It was Blackman who stepped up for the free-kick, however, despite his efforts he could only draw Marosi into a routine save.

Chances appeared to have temporarily seized for around 15 minutes until a free-kick was awarded to Doncaster from 35 yards out on the left side after a harsh tackle from Callum Guy.

It was Beestin who stepped up to take the set-piece and he presented a great opportunity for the hosts to level after Henrich Ravas mistimed the delivery, allowing Baudry to get his head on the ball – the chance, though, was sent narrowly wide.

From then on, increased attacking pressure from Doncaster was clear as the hosts looked to level the scores, however, robust defending from the Rams’ defensive line ensured any threat was neutralised.

On 39 minutes, Doncaster were knocking on the door again. This time it was Mandeville, who was on the end of the ball with only the ’keeper to beat after perfectly timed through ball played by Riccardo Cadler - the chance, though, was sent narrowly wide.

Just two minutes later, the host’s had another chance to go level and it was Calder who was involved only this time it was him who struck the ball, calling on Ravas to make an impressive save at his near post.

After the interval, Doncaster looked the livelier of the two sides, but strong and aggressive defending – particularly from Farrend Rawson – continued to frustrate the hosts, at least for the moment.

On 54 minutes, an attacking wave of play from the hosts was justly rewarded after Mandeville latched onto an intelligent ball inside the area and slotted coolly past Ravas.

The Rams responded to conceding swiftly, though, and just four minutes later the ball was at the other end of the pitch as Blackman forced Marosi into action from inside the area.

It took another ten minutes for the next clear cut chance to come and it came in Derby’s favour after an impressive trickery from Abdoul Camara, the substitute, allowed him to play the ball into space on the left wing where Mason Bennett was waiting.

Bennett took the ball to the byline and crossed the ball in the hope that It would reach Blackman for a tap-in, however the ‘keeper did well to end the attack and ensured that the scores remained level.

Despite the chance, every attack from Derby seemed only to spur the home side on and after a period of attacking play, Doncaster managed to gain the lead through substitute Longbottom after he headed home a dangerous cross from the left wing.

As the game approached its conclusion and with time appearing to run out for the Rams, all was not lost for Derby as Weimann stepped up and headed home the ball to level up the scores once again.

After the game was forced to penalties to contest the extra point up for grabs, it was Doncaster who ran out as 4-3 winners as Middleton, Longbottom, Keegan and Beestin finding the back of the net despite Blackman, Guy and Weimann scoring for the Rams.

Doncaster Rovers: Marosi, Mason, Wright (Garratt,32), Baudry, Evina (Fielding, 32), Keegan, Calder, Middleton, Beestin, Marquis (C), Mandeville (Longbottom, 71)

Substitutes not used: Etheridge, James, Amos, Scattergood

Derby County: Ravas, Russell (Gordon, 78), Wilson (Bennett, 65), Blackman, Weimann, Rawson (C), Cover, Guy, Santos, Stabana, Vernam (Camara, 65)

Substitutes not used: Babos, Barnes, Jakobsen, Bateman

Attendance: 1,515 (94 Derby County Fans)

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