RIVALS managers Gary Bowyer and Steve McClaren had contrasting views on the outcome of last night's five-goal thriller at Ewood Park.

Rovers raced into a first-minute lead through Ben Marshall and ended the contest in the ascendency after a Jamie Ward double and Will Hughes single had fired Derby ahead.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Rudy Gestede reduced the deficit 12 minutes from time and, after Tom Cairney twice went close, he the bar in injury-time.

Rovers boss Bowyer said: “I think a draw was the least we deserved. I thought we were outstanding. 

“Steve McClaren was running up and down the technical area with five minutes to go. 

“The sense of relief from their bench and their players just showed the amount of pressure we put them under.

“We’ve had a right good go and we've been excellent.”

Rams head coach McClaren, whose side’s 3-2 win hauled them above Rovers into seventh, said: “I think we deserved the result, it would have been a travesty if they had equalised. 

“Last year we drew this game against Birmingham 3-3 when 3-1 up but we’ve hung on and got the point and it’s a big win.”