Derby 3 Sheff Weds 2: Owls to miss Bus for trip to Millwall

Sheffield Wednesday's substitute goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is beaten from the penalty spot by Derby Countys Darren Bent (Picture: Steve Ellis).

The Romanian forward injured his groin just before kick-off meaning Atdhe Nuhiu was forced to step in.

The Owls twice took the lead through goals from Lewis McGugan and Will Keane, only for Jake Buxton to level matters with two headers.

Keiren Westwood then conceded a penalty for bringing down Tom Ince, and was red-carded, leaving Darren Bent to net the winner from the resulting spot-kick.

“We lost Sergiu Bus in the warm-up at 10 to three,” said Wednesday’s head coach Gray, who was also without the injured Jose Semedo.

“It’s a groin problem and it looks as though he will be ruled out for Tuesday.

“It’s very frustrating for the boy, but I thought Atdhe Nuhiu came in and did well. He caused Buxton and Richard Keogh problems and it was a good battle up there. The disappointing thing is that we are not getting the rub of the green at the moment.

“But one thing we do know, we will go to Millwall on Tuesday and use a lot of what we did at Derby as a positive and build on it.”

Westwood must now serve a one-game ban, which rules him out of facing Millwall tomorrow.

Former England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is likely to take over in a match the Owls must win to retain slim play-off hopes.

Derby had to earn victory the hard way after the Owls had twice stunned them with goals against the run of play.

Bent, however, kept his nerve during a three-minute delay while Wednesday brought on Kirkland, who went the right way but could not prevent the spot kick nestling in the bottom right corner.

Gray, whose side are 16 points off the play-off spots, said: “We have been doing very well in our own box so to concede three from set plays was very disappointing.

“It’s very rare for us to concede goals from set plays. For Westy (Westwood) to get sent off, I think that was a bit harsh.”

Derby County: Grant, Christie, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Hendrick, Thorne (Lingard 62), Hughes, Ince, Bent, Dawkins (Bryson 61). Unused substitutes: Ward, Roos, Thomas, Shotton, Mascarell.

Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood, Palmer, Lees, Zayatte, Helan, Lee, McGugan, Hutchinson (Kirkland 76), Maghoma (Maguire 62), Keane (Mattock 72), Nuhiu. Unused substitutes: May, Filipe Melo, Dielna, Vermijl.

Referee: D Bond (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Jake Buxton.