Derby boss Paul Warne was left counting his lucky stars after his side’s 0-0 draw at Lincoln.
The promotion-chasing Rams dropped points for only the third time since the end of October at Sincil Bank.
But it could have been worse if it was not for inspired goalkeeper Josh Vickers, who produced a string of fine saves to frustrate the win-shy hosts, whose winless league run stretched to eight games.
Warne said: “It could have been a lot worse, it could have been a bit better. That’s my view of it. We just didn’t do enough to take a chance.
“We have an attitude to take a risk. We want to win every game, we feel we have a responsibility to get promoted to try and win as many games as we can; away from home or at home, that’s the way we play.
“Luckily, our goalie got us out of trouble. Sometimes you need that.
“I still thought we would have scored, a guilt-edge chance. But we didn’t. We huffed and puffed. We just didn’t have enough to win a game.
“It’s always the way if, for whatever reason, your two, three or four forwards, whatever you play with, can’t create a chance then you want more and more options.
“If I was really greedy I’d have 10 centre forwards with six on the bench and I’d keep flipping them.
“We can’t always rely on Tom [Barkhuizen], Collo [James Collins] and Nat [Mendez-Laing] to create something all the time, it’s impossible.
“You can’t go through the whole season being the best player. Although in fairness most of the time they are.”
Despite an elusive win going begging, Lincoln boss Michael Skubala was pleased with his side’s performance.
He was particularly impressed by young strikers Freddie Draper (19) and Luton loanee Joe Taylor (21), the latter being denied a goal in the second half by a clearance off the line.
Skubala said: “I’m really pleased. I thought they worked really hard.
“We created some big chances. I thought the game had everything from the lads and we were brilliant, without getting the win.
“I thought we looked a real threat. We had a 19 and 20-year-old up front and we saw how exciting their partnership can be.
“Freddie and Joe have a lot to learn but the signs were good.
“I was impressed with everybody. I thought they were all really good.
“I was disappointed for them because they deserved to win with the chances they created.
“Joe will be fine, he’ll be fine. He’ll score goals for us. If he starts scoring goals for us then he’s got a bright future.
“He’s got to score. They’re still young, still new to League One and that can’t be underestimated.
“Derby are a big team on a great run so I’m really pleased.”
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