Derby and Nottingham Forest shared a 0-0 draw this weekend in the season's second East Midlands derby match. 

Tom Huddlestone was sent off for the Rams with just nine minutes left on the clock in an otherwise uneventful game.

His captain, Richard Keogh, was quick to defend experienced player, suggesting instead that Forest players had gone down too easily all game.

Speaking to the Derby Telegraph about the red card, he said: "It was very harsh. The referee got it wrong. I thought they were going down quite easily all game, to be honest. Every time we got near them, they wanted to go down on the floor. Huddz knew he was on a booking and he's not a stupid player. He's an experienced player."

The extra man did little to alter the complexion of a tight and nervy game, with a point ensuring Derby held on to fifth place in the league. If Forest had pressed home the numerical advantage there might have been a wider sense of injustice.

"He got tight to him, he (Tomlin) took a touch past him, Huddz pulled out and he went to ground before he could even think about making a tackle. I think everyone who was that game knows it probably wasn't the right decision."

The draw extends Derby's winless run to seven games, they last picked up three points on 3rd February, beating Brentford 3-0. Since then they've lost two and drawn five, conceding any slim hopes of an automatic promotion spot.

Huddlestone will now miss Sunday's visit of Cardiff City, a crucial promotion clash for both sides.

The Verdict

Tom Huddlestone can definitely feel aggrieved at his second yellow card, there was barely any contact and no intention to make a tackle. The trouble is, any contact these days gives a player a chance to go down and it looks as though there was the merest of touches. Keogh's comments will just help stoke the fire a little for their matches next season.