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Last-gasp Derby overcome Stoke

02/12/2008

Derby County became the second Championship team through to the last four of the Carling Cup after beating Stoke City 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium.

It took a controversial penalty from Nathan Ellington deep into injury-time to separate the sides.

Stoke were furious as referee Rob Styles judged that Andy Griffin handled a cross from Przemyslaw Kazmierczak four minutes into stoppage-time.

Nathan Ellington nonchalantly stroked home the penalty to send Paul Jewell's side into the semi-finals for the first time in over 40 years.

Derby had impressed in the first-half with Richard Cresswell unlucky not to opening score, but the assistant referee felt the striker had handled before scoring past Roy Carroll.

Stoke looked dangerous, particularly via Rory Delap's long-throw, but Derby dealt resolutely with everything that was thrown at them.

The excellent Kris Commons hit the crossbar shortly after the start of the second-half, while Miles Addison suffered the same fate moments later.

Derby then had Carroll to thank for still being in the game after an excellent save from Ricardo Fuller which set the stage for the injury-time drama.