Derby County crashed out of the FA Cup to League One Leyton Orient as they lost 6-5 on a penalty shootout at Brisbane Road.
Callum Elder was the unfortunate victim in the shootout as he saw his effort saved by Josh Keeley. Derby had initially fought back from a goal down in the first half when Dajaune Brown cancelled out Charlie Kelman’s excellent finish.
Orient had been in excellent form coming into the game and they certainly reflected the confidence sweeping through Brisbane Road as they made a fast start.
Diallang Jaiyesimi produced an overhead kick which just cleared the bar which Orient fans greeted to much acclaim. Jamie Donley then saw an effort turned behind for a corner which the visitors dealt with.
At the other end, Kane Wilson teased in a couple of decent crosses before Orient took the lead when Derby failed to clear a set-piece which allowed Charlie Kelman to produce a ruthless finish.
But that lead did not last long as Derby were back on level terms with an excellent team goal with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing combining with Marcus Harness who crossed low for Dajaune Brown to equalise.
Orient tried to force themselves back in front and Nat Phillips was forced to make an excellent tackle to deny Sonny Perkins while Omar Beckles lashed over the bar. And just before half-time, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing had a good chance at the back post but headed straight at Josh Keeley.
Derby made double change in the second half as Ebou Adams and Callum Elder came on to replace Nat Phillips and Liam Thompson. But it was Corey Blackett-Taylor who came closest to adding to the scoreline when his razor sharp drive was tipped over the bar by Josh Keeley. Kenzo Goudmijn then fired wide of the target from outside the box.
Another Keeley save denied Blackett-Taylor before Wilson was in the right place to deny Jaiyesimi. Substitute Tom Barkhuizen rattled the bar with a deflected effort as Derby kept pushing for a breakthrough.
The game went into extra time as neither side could find a winner inside 90 minutes, but both players were growingly increasingly tired. Jamie Donely snuck in behind Derby’s defence but he was flagged offside before Goudmijn saw a shot saved by Keeley.
A penalty shootout loomed and it was Callum Elder who was the victim as his penalty was saved by Keeley as the Os booked an FA Cup date with Manchester City.
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom: The big Sweden international couldn’t really do much about the goal as it was a clever finish from Charlie Kelman. Didn’t get near any of the penalties. 6
Kane Wilson: Was Derby’s best outlet in the opening stages as he teased in a couple of crosses. Seemed to enjoy himself although one back header in the first half caused a bit of nerves. 5
Curtis Nelson: Didn’t look entirely comfortable when Orient got down the sides, but anything straight down the middle and he was strong as you would expect him to be. 5
Nat Phillips: Made one exceptional tackle in the first half when he raced across to take the ball off Sonny Perkins. Another solid game in the heart of the defence. 5
Craig Forsyth: Orient’s pace on the counter was a problem for him but did the job that was requested of him as the Scot showed his experience against a lively attack. 5
Liam Thompson: Covered a lot of ground as Derby chased hard when they lost possession but didn’t really lay a glove on Orient and was replaced at half-time. Needed to be better. 4
Kenzo Goudmijn: Some neat touches from the Dutchman in what was a deeper role for him. Tried to open up the Orient defence when he managed to break forward. Got very tired. 4.5
Marcus Harness: Produced the cross which Dajaune Brown converted after some decent work from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing. Was a threat at times. 5.5
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing: Looked sharp in the final third when he picked up pockets of space and caused Orient a few problems. Had a good chance before half-time, but heading not his strong point. 5.5
Corey Blackett-Taylor: Had some decent runs at goal and drew two excellent saves from Josh Keeley in the second half when he moved to the right-hand side. Was a threat. 6.5
Dajaune Brown: The striker led the line on his own and he was a real handful for Orient. Grabbed his goal with a poacher’s finish and hustled and harried the Os’ defence. 7
Subs
Ebou Adams (Thompson 45): Played like you would expect him to. Rattled the natives by winning tackles. 5
Callum Elder (Phillips 45): Was a good outlet but missed from the spot. 4
Kayden Jackson (Brown 68): Struggled. 3.5
Tom Barkhuizen (Blackett-Taylor 68): Hit the bar but was weak in possession. 3
James Collins (Mendez-Laing 76): Didn’t lay a glove on Orient defence. 4