John Eustace disappointed with Derby start but pleased to get Bristol City point

Derby boss John Eustace admitted his side had not enjoyed a good start to the season but was happy that they picked up their first point with a 1-1 Championship draw against Bristol City at Pride Park.

The Rams started with the upper hand but Scott Twine’s 35th-minute strike put the hosts on course for their third-straight defeat to start the campaign.

Derby had failed to register a single shot on target until Joe Ward’s header was saved by Radek Vitek and the ball went straight into the path of Carlton Morris, who forced an effort over the line for his third goal of the campaign.

Eustace was pleased with the spirit his side showed, saying: “It’s not the start we want, but it’s how you finish that matters.

“We’re building something special at the football club and that’s what we want. We have to remember we are on the back of two defeats and going a goal down, it was very difficult.

“For 70 minutes we were good against Coventry, played two teams who have just been in the play-offs, it’s evident we are growing and a work in motion.

“It’s early in the season. I’m pleased with the attitude of the players, we had 12 players leave, brought 10 in. The players who played tonight were excellent.

“Tonight we showed that real fight to make sure we didn’t lose the game where possibly everyone thought we might have.”

Morris has now scored in each of the first three league games and Eustace praised his new striker.

He added: “He’s a top performer. He’s done all the hard graft throughout the leagues. We’ve got a great player. A top professional in the group.

“He’s playing for a fantastic football club. He’s a Premier League performer, he’s very hungry to do well.

“He got relegated out of the Championship and as soon as I met him, I could see there was a desire in his eyes to put that right, he’s a top player.”

Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber bemoaned his side’s ability to kill the match off following their second-straight draw.

He added: “We’re frustrated about the result. We controlled it most of the time.

“We have to be critical with ourselves, I think we can score the second goal but overall, a good performance but frustrated with the result.

“The boys were disappointed right now in the dressing room, but I can feel the expectation from everyone to win the game, especially after a performance like that.

“We are on a good road but today one point is not enough.”