Derby's double Dutch

RON WILLEMS and Robin Van Der Laan produced a piece of double Dutch to confound little Gillingham's hopes of another cup giantkilling…

RON WILLEMS and Robin Van Der Laan produced a piece of double Dutch to confound little Gillingham's hopes of another cup giantkilling against Premiership strugglers.

Their second-half goals ended Derby's miserable run of seven games without a win and put them through to the fourth round of the FA Cup at home to either Aston Villa or Notts County.

Half-time substitute Van Der Laan headed a Gary Rowett corner through the second division side's hesitant defence eight minutes after the break and fellow Dutchman Willems claimed the final touch from almost on the goalline.

But there was no doubt about the second goal a minute from time, when another substitute, Paul Simpson, provided the cross which Van Der Laan looped over hapless goalkeeper Jim Stannard.

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Striker Willems' third goal of the season was enough to set Derby on their way through a potentially difficult tie, which started a week ago at Priestfield, only to be abandoned after 66 minutes in icy conditions.

But it was Van Der Laan who was the hero this time, after coming off the bench at the start of the second half.

Sadly for Gillingham, once Derby had got their noses in front, they never looked in danger of suffering an upset.