Mixed feelings for goalscorer Conor Sammon after Derby County draw at Cardiff City

CONOR Sammon was left with mixed feelings after Derby County's 1-1 draw with Championship leaders Cardiff City.

The striker was delighted to end his barren run of 10 games without a goal and pleased with a point away to the table-toppers - but disappointed the Rams could not hold on for all three points.

Sammon gave Derby the lead in South Wales with a quarter of an hour remaining, only for substitute Craig Noone to equalise eight minutes from time.

"It was the story of the past five or six games, where we've felt we played well but haven't got the rewards," said Sammon.

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"We started very brightly, we thought we should have had a penalty for handball and I thought Chrissy Martin's goal was onside.

"Those things aren't going for us but we kept going and trying to do the right things.

"When the goal went in, I saw there was 15 minutes to go and thought, 'Come on, let's hold on here'.

"Unfortunately, we weren't quite able to in end but it's a good point against the team that is top of the league.

"We were disappointed we didn't win the game - and we've had that feeling quite a lot recently.

"All we can do is keep going."

Sammon paid tribute to strike partner Martin for his part in the Derby goal.

"Chris has made a great run across the near post and I think it put the two defenders off," he said.

"It dropped nicely for me, I caught it well and put it in the corner.

"So I was delighted to get that. I just would have loved it to be the winner."

Derby were without a string of first-team regulars due to injury, with the likes of John Brayford, Craig Bryson, Jamie Ward and Will Hughes all sidelined.

Craig Forsyth made his debut following his loan move from Watford, while Albanian under-21 international Valentin Gjokaj was handed his first senior start.

"I thought the lads who have come in on loan - Chris Martin and Craig Forsyth - have added a lot to the team," said Sammon.

"Big Val came in at right-back for his first start and I thought he was brilliant.

"We see in training that he's got that quality. He's been patient for his chance and he took it.

"It's difficult when you lose players. Jamie Ward has been flying lately and John Brayford has been a very consistent performer for us all season, as has Bryso.

"So it was brilliant to get a point from the game."