Derby County 1-1 Wrexham: Late Ollie Rathbone Equaliser Secures Point at Pride Park

Wrexham secured a dramatic late point against Derby County at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon, with Ollie Rathbone scoring an 88th-minute equaliser to earn Phil Parkinson's side a 1-1 draw in the Championship.

Sam Szmodics opened the scoring in the 9th minute, but Wrexham kept pressing for an equaliser before Rathbone converted from close range to deny the hosts their first home league win of the season.

Derby started brightly and took the lead through a well-executed counter-attack. Mohammed Fuseini broke forward from inside his own half before releasing Szmodics, who advanced towards the penalty area and unleashed a powerful strike beyond Anthony Patterson.

Wrexham responded positively, with Jacques Ekomié forcing a save from Derby goalkeeper Josh Vickers after breaking into the penalty area. Callum O'Hare also tested Vickers with a deflected effort, while Issa Kaboré struck the side netting from the rebound.

Parkinson was forced into an early change when Josh Windass was injured, allowing Rathbone to enter the match after 15 minutes.

Derby continued to threaten through Szmodics, who came close to doubling his tally after 35 minutes, curling an effort narrowly wide.

Wrexham finished the opening half strongly, with O'Hare seeing another effort deflected over the crossbar. However, Derby maintained their advantage heading into half-time.

The second period followed a similar pattern, with both teams creating chances but failing to break through.

Fuseini tested Patterson shortly before the hour, while Carlton Morris fired over following a promising Derby attack.

Parkinson introduced Sam Smith and Danny Imray in the 64th minute, replacing Lewis O'Brien and Kaboré as Wrexham searched for a route back into the contest.

Imray delivered a ball from the right flank towards Kieffer Moore, who headed into Rathbone's path. The midfielder reacted quickly and finished past Vickers from close range, sparking celebrations among the 2,548 travelling Wrexham supporters.

The late goal rewarded Wrexham's persistence after an afternoon in which they enjoyed 55% possession and registered 13 shots compared with Derby's 10.

Although Parkinson's side couldn't secure all three points, the late equaliser showed their determination to stay competitive until the final whistle.

Derby County: Vickers, Ward, Ozoh, Langas, Sanderson, Hedges, Mowatt, Fuseini (Meister 72), Clark (Fraulo 84), Szmodics (Brewster 72), Morris (Salvesen 84)

Subs not used: O’Donnell, Bilbija, Nyambe, Travis, Blackett-Taylor

Wrexham: Patterson, Vyner (Longman 85), Worrall, Hyam, Kaboré (Imray 64), Whiteman, O’Brien (Smith 64), Ekomié (Dobson 85), Windass (Rathbone 15), O’Hare, Moore

Subs not used: Ward, A.James, Cadamarteri, Chesworth

Attendance: 29,136