PHEW! ROO'S WAGGY RELIEF

Boss hails striker as survival confirmed

- Chris Dunlavy

WAYNE Rooney hailed PlayStation pal Martyn Waghorn after the striker’s nerveless spot-kick kept Derby in the Championship.

But it was heartbreak for opponents Sheffield Wednesday, who were relegated to League One after a season beset by offfield turmoil.

Needing a win to stand any chance of survival, the Owls twice led through goals from Sam Hutchinson and Julian Borner.

But they failed to protect their advantage and, after Rotherham United shipped a dramatic late equaliser at Cardiff, Waghorn’s 78th-minute penalty ensured Derby stayed up by a single point.

“I’m relieved, I’m delighted,” said Rams boss Rooney, whose side had lost six straight matches amid ongoing uncertainty over the sale of the club.

“I’m delighted for the players. This season, both on and off the pitch, has been crazy.

“Normally, in a relegation fight, there’s splits in the group. But they’ve stuck together and they deserved that today.”