Relegation strugglers Derby and Sunderland shared a goalless draw at Pride Park on Saturday.
Chopra has goal dis-allowed
Relegation strugglers Derby and Sunderland shared a goalless draw at Pride Park on Saturday.
The Black Cats will count themselves unlucky, with a goal disallowed, a goal-line clearance and also hitting the post.
In an entertaining first-half, Daryl Murphy hit the post in the third minute, while Michael Chopra scored in the 35th minute but was adjudged off-side, although replays showed his goal was legitimate.
The second period failed to live up to the first-half's promise, with few chances.
But in injury time, substitute Hossam Ghaly blocked off the line from Danny Higginbotham after Derby keeper Roy Carroll could only palm a Keiran Richardson effort.
Sunderland almost made the perfect start as Daryl Murphy beautifully controlled a long Nyron Nosworthy ball in the fourth minute and curled an effort against the post.
Kenwyne Jones tried to launch another Sunderland attack when he broke from inside his own half but Kenny Miller, unable to keep pace, hauled him down and earned a booking.
Miller had Derby's first chance when he turned and shot wide after chesting down with his back to goal on the edge of the area.
Chopra headed over as Sunderland created another opportunity and Murphy shot straight at Roy Carroll after finding space down the right and cutting inside on to his left foot.
Andy Reid caused anxiety in the Derby area with a free-kick Carroll punched away unconvincingly but the Rams survived and launched an attack themselves.
Stephen Pearson broke into the area and pulled back in front of goal but Sunderland managed to scramble clear.
Disallowed
Reid fired in another free-kick but Murphy could not keep his header on target.
Sunderland thought they had the lead after they worked the ball well around the penalty area and Reid slipped it through to Chopra in front of goal. The former Newcastle man finished well but to his frustration, and despite appearing to time his run well, the flag was raised.
Derby defender Alan Stubbs had a narrow escape shortly before the interval when he deflected a cross narrowly wide of his own goal.
Richardson created the first real opportunity of the second half after wriggling past Villa and David Jones into the box but could not provide a decent ball.
Jones then tried his luck from distance when he spotted Carroll off his line as the ball broke to him just before the hour but the goalkeeper recovered.
Little quality
The second half was proving to be an extremely niggly and foul-littered affair with very little quality on show.
Miller had a chance for the Rams but shot high and wide while at the other end Jones was unable to find the target from 18 yards.
Miller almost broke through when Craig Gordon rashly raced out of his career two minutes from time but Sunderland managed to clear.
Sunderland had a late chance too when Carroll parried a Richardson shot and substitute Ghaly blocked Higginbotham's follow-up on the line.
