“So, so soft” – Harwood-Bellis leaves Derby’s play-off dream on the brink

Southampton already know they’re off to Wembley, but Derby’s hopes of playing under the famous arch this season now hang by a thread.

John Eustace has been keen to keep things in perspective, talking about the progress of his side – recently with a view to next season. But after defeat at St Mary’s, his frustration was palpable.

“It’s too easy from the free kick, organisation [was] not good enough and we’ve got to improve on that,” he told BBC Radio Derby. Eustace was of course describing Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ winning goal, which he bemoaned as “so, so soft”, with the defender left unmarked to head Ryan Manning’s delivery past Richard O’Donnell.

In a boost to The Rams, Max Johnston made his first start in five months. But the footballing higher powers continue to take at least as much as they give to Derby; the Scot had to fill in at left back after Derry Murkin missed out with muscle soreness.

Sam Szmodics returned too, while Bobby Clark started on the left wing with Patrick Agyemang injured and Ben Brereton Díaz ineligible. Eustace appeared to be looking for Clark’s work-rate and delivery to combine with Johnston, who is still building fitness. But the midfielder, who was nominated for Championship young player of the season earlier this week was forced off with a hamstring injury inside ten minutes.

On came Oscar Fraulo, who instantly combined with Carlton Morris as Johnston drove forward and fired wide with his left foot. “It’s a position I’ve played before, and I don’t mind as long as I can help the team,” he told BBC Radio Derby after a strong display. But there was the downside to having a right-footed left back.

Southampton’s first spell came following a succession of corners, but for all their possession, in good positions out wide, Tonda Eckert’s men lacked the finishing touch in the first half. Finn Azaz shot wide twice, while Manning shanked a volley wildly off target.

For Derby, chances continued to come on the counter in a typical away performance, with Carlton Morris a vital focal point. Having already headed Banel’s cross tamely at Daniel Peretz, he and the Dutchman both saw efforts blocked after Johnston jinked inside from the left to cross.

But when Azaz’s miscue allowed Joe Ward Derby’s first corner, Morris was not going to turn down a third chance for a second goal in as many games. Ward’s delivery wreaked havoc in the box, Saints midfielder Casper Jander flicking the ball on for Morris to bundle in at the back post.

Suddenly, it felt like November again.

After a quiet start to the second half, The Rams began to build momentum around the hour mark. Having declined to shoot from a similar position moments earlier, Szmodics saw a 25-yard low-drive saved by Peretz at full stretch.

Perhaps it was the star power of the man who is one half of the ‘power couple’ dubbed Israel’s Posh and Becks that gave The Saints momentum as they broke from right to left where Ward allowed Leo Scienza far too much space to curl beautifully into the bottom-right corner.

Just two minutes after a rejig to allow for the introduction of Owen Eames, Sondre Langås and Craig Forsyth for his 400^th Derby appearance, Harwood-Bellis headed home to complete a seven-minute script-flip.

In the final 20 minutes Derby just “ran out of legs” according to Eustace. They managed just one more shot, as Morris saw an effort blocked. Unlike the corner, Ward’s deliveries in search of him were too close to the keeper.

Analysis: All but over?

Could there have been a worse time to face Southampton? Already 16 games unbeaten and at the end of a week in which they had thrashed Wrexham 5-1 and knocked out Premier League Leaders Arsenal to book an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

Meanwhile Derby’s injury woes worsen once more, though given the importance of the game questions may be asked of the decision to leave out Derry Murkin if it is precautionary as reported.

It was always going to be a tall order, but it did feel as though a win was necessary to keep The Rams’ play-off dream alive. Eustace and his side will insist it’s not over yet, though, and Sheffield United’s comeback victory against Hull helps that case. Though they would surely need to be flawless from here?

Ultimately, this is some conversation to be having with four games to go, considering where Derby were six months ago especially.

This was an excellent snapshot of the season. An injury-ravaged side battling brilliantly only to be undone by a sloppy mistake against a top six side. If there was a more complex tactical point to be made, I’d make it – it really feels that simple.

As has been the case many a time, Johnston’s return hammers home the amount of quality Derby have missed through injury. You wonder where they would be if the likes of Morris and Langås had been fit all season?

If it is to be a season of immense progress and injury what ifs, well, most would have taken that!

We must hope, though, that this was not the last time we will see Bobby Clark in black and white. He will surely find his way back to Wembley in his career, whether that is with Derby or not.

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Goals: Scienza 62’, Harwood-Bellis 69’ | Morris 38’.

Southampton (4-2-3-1); Peretz; Bree (Wood 87'), Harwood-Bellis, Stephens (C), Manning; Downes, Jander; Fellows (Matsuki 64’), Azaz (Charles 75’), Scienza (Edozie 75’); Stewart (Larin 64’).

Unused Substitutes: Long (GK); Bragg, Wellington; Archer.

Derby (4-2-3-1): O’Donnell (GK); Ward, Sanderson, Clarke, Johnston (Forsyth 67'); Travis (C) (Salvesen 84’), Ozoh (Langås 66’); Banel (Eames 67'), Szmodics, Clark (Fraulo 9’); Morris.

Unused Substitutes: Vickers (GK); Batth, Gordon; Allen.