Huddersfield Town 1 Derby County 1: Holmes caps fine cameo by setting up equaliser

Holmes came on as a substitute in the 58th minute with the Terriers a goal down to a Derby side who seemed set for an eighth successive win.

But United States-born Holmes set up Martin Paterson for an equaliser four minutes from time to cap an all-action cameo display from the diminutive midfielder.

Heaping praise on the 19-year-old, who might have levelled himself in the 77th minute only to fail to make the most of a great chance, Robins said: “Duane’s mature beyond his years.

“Quite a lot of players would have let that miss affect them. But not Duane, he just kept on going.

“Duane can be a handful for defenders and it was certainly his introduction that gave us some spark. He’s a real talent who has a great future.”

On a strong closing spell in which Town pressed Derby to the limit, Robins said: “I thought we were good value for a point.

“Derby are not just one of the best teams in the division, they’re one of the best in the country at the moment.

“I was glad when we were only 1-0 down at the break. We changed a few things and it got us back in the game.”

Robins, who said Paterson’s lob for the equaliser was “out of the top draw”, refused to comment on the performance of referee Carl Boyeson. The official made a number of contentious decisions which angered both sets of fans.

Derby had led thanks to Craig Bryson’s close-range tap-in after 30 minutes, the fourth game in a row in which he has netted.

The Rams could have been three up at the break had first Chris Martin scored a penalty and then Joel Lynch put into his own net.

Lynch felled Jamie Ward in the box just four minutes after replacing the injured Anthony Gerrard, but Martin saw his 27th-minute spot-kick and rebound saved by Alex Smithies.

Lynch then diverted Martin’s cross onto his own post, the ball rolling across the line back to Lynch, who cleared.

Robins said of Lynch’s nightmare: “I think he was just caught cold and maybe that’s something we need to address. Joel was a bit ill before the game, but players do need to be ready to come on as you never know what can happen in a game.”

Rams manager Steve McClaren was pleased despite seeing his side’s winning run come to an end. He said: “Huddersfield are a good side, especially at home, and it was a tough battle.”

Huddersfield Town: Smithies, Smith, Gerrard (Lynch 22), Wallace, Hammill (Scannell 80), Hogg (Holmes 59), Norwood, Clayton, Dixon, Ward, Paterson. Unused substitutes: Woods, Gobern, Bennett, Stead.

Derby County: Grant, Wisdom, Keane, Buxton, Forsyth, Eustace, Bryson, Hughes

(Cisse 76), Ward, Martin (Sammon 84),

Simon Dawkins (Russell 71). Unused substitutes: Bennett, Legzdins, Whitbread, Freeman.

Referee: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire).