Derby County: Another good workout for Rams but their cutting edge is missing

DERBY County kept a second clean sheet in as many games on their tour of the south-west but could not find a cutting edge to breakdown League Two newcomers Torquay United.

The closest they came in last night's goalless game at Plainmoor was when Steve Davies's header was turned onto a post by goalkeeper Scott Bevan.

Torquay, promoted through the Blue Square Premier play-offs last season, asked questions of Derby's defence in the second half but the defenders stood firm, especially Jake Buxton.

It was another patchy display, not unexpected at this stage of pre-season, but at the same time it was another useful run out and exactly why they have taken on three games in five days.

Derby also fielded virtually a different team to the one that beat Yeovil a couple of days earlier.

The side showed eight changes as manager Nigel Clough used his squad.

In came former Burton Albion goalkeeper Saul Deeney, who is looking to earn a contract, Jason Beardsley, Buxton, Arnaud Mendy, Ben Pringle, Giles Barnes and Davies, who hit both goals in the win at Yeovil.

Also in was trialist Scott Neilsen, the Cambridge City right winger.

The 22-year-old was training with Norwich City last week and scored for them in a friendly at Dartford.

His first contribution was to take the ball cleverly on the half-turn, display some confident footwork on the ball and then give a simple lay-off for Paul Connolly to cross.

Pringle, himself a find from non-league football, has caught the eye all pre-season and whipped in two terrific free-kicks to give Torquay problems.

Neilsen was been marked by Torquay's left-back Kevin Nicholson, the Derby-born player and former England Schoolboys captain.

Torquay had lost their previous outing 4-1 at the hands of Bristol Rovers and started full of determination. Derby, considering there had been so many changes, were also quickly into their stride and there was a good early pace to the contest.

Chris Todd's hesitancy allowed the hard-working Luke Varney to win the ball and then a foul from the big defender.

Steve Davies looked interested in the set-piece but Barnes took the ball only to waste the opportunity. His effort looped tamely over.

Barnes did better a minute later when his testing cross just beat Pringle for pace as the midfielder darted into the area. Varney's follow-up was blocked and then Robbie Savage, captain for the night, burst into the box only to see his shot parried by Scott Bevan.

It was lively stuff on a dry pitch – Torquay had obviously escaped the heavy rain that drenched Derby's St Mellion base earlier in the day.

The home side had strong claims for penalty 10 minutes before the break.

Mustapha Carayol flicked on, Pringle being hurt in the aerial challenge, and Elliot Benyon got in on the wrong side of Mendy. Derby's defender made a tackle from behind and the Torquay striker went down.

Cries of "penalty" went round the ground, the loudest coming from the Torquay players and those in their dugout, but referee Oliver Langford waved away the protests and signalled the physio to come on and attend to Pringle.

Mendy then clattered into Tyrone Thompson, the challenge more mistimed than malicious, but the Rams youngster was not Mr Popular with the Torquay fans.

Torquay started the second half with greater purpose and had Derby on the back foot.

A deep cross went over Jason Beardsley and found Danny Stevens at the back post. His first touch was slightly heavy but Deeney still did very well to save with his legs.

Wayne Carlisle's crossing contained pace and accuracy, and there was some important defensive work from Jay McEveley and Buxton before Nicky Wroe's drive stung the hands of Deeney.

A low curling centre from Nicholson squirmed beyond the far post with the help of McEveley's touch and Derby's first change came after 61 minutes when Mark Randall replaced Savage , who again did a good job anchoring the midfield.

But Derby were striving to find a spark in the middle or final third.

Young Mendy provided it when he ate up the ground on a marauding run from the back to support Varney who was in possession.

Varney slipped a pass to Mendy, whose position is midfield, and his low shot took a deflection to bring a corner.

Randall took it and Davies, who scored a thumping header at Yeovil, rose only to be denied by Bevan's fine save.

Derby finished the stronger although with a strange looking line-up.

Centre-backs Miles Addison and Shaun Barker spent the last 10 minutes or so up front after coming on.

The last bit of action saw Deeney keep out another strike from Wroe in the last seconds. Deeney can be pleased with his performance.