‘One person to blame’, ‘Disgrace’ – Many Derby fans left furious at one man after late defeat

Derby County’s unbeaten run is over after Preston North End grabbed a late winner at Pride Park today and many Rams fans have been left furious at referee Darren Bond.

Alan Browne scored in the 96th minute to sink Wayne Rooney’s side, who had played the majority of the game with 10 men after Martyn Waghorn’s red card.

Rams fans can have no complaints about that decision after the forward’s ugly challenge but many were left fuming at Bond after the late goal.

Browne’s curling strike beat David Marshall, who had been fantastic all game, and nestled in the corner but it did seem as if Louie Sibley was fouled in the build-up.

Rooney highlighted just that issue in his post-match interview describing it as a “big moment” and “a clear foul” but it seems the referee missed the incident.

The 1-0 defeat means that the Rams remain in the bottom three on goal difference, though 21st-placed Rotherham United do have a game in hand over them.

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Unsurprisingly, the controversial goal has proven a huge talking point among the Pride Park faithful with many fans left furious at the referee.

Read their reaction on Twitter here:

Waghorn and the ref owe our players a massive apology. Shocking decisions from both! #dcfc

— Martyn Hodgkinson (@MJHodgo88) December 26, 2020

And he’s absolutely spot on. No one can argue the officials haven’t cost us a point there – blatant foul and played over 6 minutes too. These refs are a joke! The 10 men were outstanding today, can’t fault them.

— DCFC Football (@derbycountyf) December 26, 2020

Deserved something out of that. Ref is a disgrace. #dcfc #dcfcfans

— James Cotton (@jcotton87) December 26, 2020

Harsh that, the lads worked so hard. Poor ref, again. Waggy doesn’t help himself or us. Back Wayne in January and we’ll be fine. #dcfc

— Paul Smith (@TheSmoth) December 26, 2020

One person to blame for that and that is the ref

— martyn english (@martynenglish2) December 26, 2020

Can't help feeling robbed by the ref today. Defended superbly for 75 minutes with 10 men. Clear foul on Sibley not given then ref seems to wait for them to score instead of calling full time. Gutted! #dcfc

— Steve (@Stephen_Evans31) December 26, 2020

I don’t often blame refs but that was horrendous. Blatant foul on Sibley and its full time. Plays and on then finds another minute. I don’t know how mangers keep their cool. If it were me I’d run on the pitch and knock his head off.

— Spin (@Spin_DCFC) December 26, 2020

Darren Bond has reffed us 24 times and can honestly he’s the worst referee since Ian Williamson (2-2 Brum) How on earth does he still ref at this levels sums up how bad this country is with referees #dcfc #dcfcfans #derbycounty

— AlexJames (@AlexJames016) December 26, 2020