DERBY County put their defensive nightmare of the first half-hour at Barnsley behind them with a solid showing at Millwall.
The Rams earned a valuable point away from home — and an even more precious clean sheet — in an even clash at the New Den on Saturday.
It was a far cry from their 3-2 defeat at Barnley two weeks ago.
Then, Nigel Clough’s men rapidly found themselves 3-0 down before a late revival put some gloss on the result.
But on Saturday they were more like their recent tight selves — and could even have won it had Craig Bryson finished an excellent chance just before half-time.
The draw and a point means Derby drop to 13th in the Championship, but it matters little with the table so closely packed.
More importantly, it was a sixth clean sheet in nine matches — reward for a fast-improving defence and goalkeeper Frank Fielding’s excellence.
Tomorrow, the Rams face Reading at home, kick-off 7.45pm, and have a good chance to dent the Royals’ play-off charge with a win before travelling to Southampton on Saturday for what looks a very difficult tie.
But they can take great confidence into both games after their performance at the New Den, which resembed the 1-0 win at Blackpool earlier in the season — only without the winning contribution.
Clough made two changes on Saturday, with 2010/11 player of the year John Brayford missing out after picking up a knock in training and being replaced by Paul Green at right-back.
Ryan Noble dropped to the bench to allow Nathan Tyson a third start of the season up front in a 4-3-3 formation.
Conor Doyle was added to the bench in place of Ben Davies.
Millwall started the better of the two sides, belying their position just above the drop zone.
Derby managed to restrict them to pot shots from distance before Darius Henderson fired a free kick just over fro the edge of the area following a foul by Tyson on the dangerous Liam Trotter.
The Rams finally settled and had their first real chance, with Ball sliding a difficult chance across goal from a tight angle.
But after the Lions had missed a decent chance to open the scoring through skipper Paul Robinson, Bryson — probably Derby’s best player this season — missed the chance of the match.
Ward’s effort from 20 yards was poorly dealt with by David Forde, and the ball bounced out to Bryson, who stabbed wide from six yards with the goal gaping.
There was then a rash of bookings as tempers frayed on both sides before halftime.
Millwall could have nicked a goal 10 minutes into the second half but Trotter was crowded out after good work down the left from Scott Barron and Henderson.
The game swung from end to end but neither side created too many clear-cut chances.
Trotter, one of the better players on display before Jeff Hendrick did an improved man marking job, rose highest to meet Liam Feeney’s corner but headed off target.
Shaun Barker, who with Green was outstanding for the Rams, then made a captain’s challenge to deny Henderson a certain goal as he headed Henderson’s flick at goal.
Alan Dunne then blazed wildly over from the edge of the box after Frank Fielding punched Feeney’s free-kick clear.
The Rams keeper then needed stitches in a cut to his head, leading to seven minutes of stoppage time, after which Derby left the field with a hard-earned point.
