WHAT are believed to be the first "gender-neutral toilets" – which can be used by both men and women at the same time – have been introduced in Derby.

The toilets have been installed at the University of Derby's students union based in Kedleston Road.

They are regarded as "more inclusive" and are said to "eliminate harassment that transgender and gender non-conforming people experience".

And the university says they are proving a big hit and hopes to install them at more campuses – including at Britannia Mill, Markeaton Street and Buxton.

Sorcha Haverty, students' union vice president for welfare and student rights, said: "When we first introduced them, people were a bit unsure about using them but we have educated them on the reason why they are in place and everyone now seems comfortable.

"The toilets are more inclusive for people who don't see themselves as conforming to one gender.

"We are now in talks with the university to have more at each of our other campuses but those who don't want to use them there are also the separate male and female toilets. I think it's a positive step and hope to see more gender-neutral toilets."

Gender-neutral toilets were first introduced in America and have been welcomed in a number of universities in the UK.

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LEEDS United owner Massimo Cellino has been disqualified by the Football League and asked to resign from the Championship club.

The League took its decision after obtaining documents from an Italian court, which had found 58-year-old Cellino guilty of tax evasion.

The League says Cellino has breached its "fit and proper" ownership test.

The Italian is entitled to return to the club from March 18 next year and can appeal against the League's ruling.

He will be able to resume control at Elland Road at the time because his conviction will be deemed spent.

Cellino was fined £502,000 (600,000 euros) in March this year after being found guilty of failing to pay import duty on his yacht.

The League subsequently blocked his deal to take over Leeds but an independent QC overturned the decision on appeal in April, allowing the takeover to go through.

Reacting to the League's ruling, Leeds issued a statement saying they were in the process of taking legal action.

Leeds beat Derby County 2-0 at Elland Road on Saturday.

FIREFIGHTERS in Derbyshire are to take part in a 24-hour strike in a continuing dispute with the Government over pensions.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union will walk out on Tuesday, December 9 at 9am.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service says it will continue to provide an emergency response service but at a reduced level.

Gavin Tomlinson, assistant chief fire officer, said: "Once again we are asking members of the public to take extra steps to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out in their home and to take extra care when driving on the roads during this time.

"Fire can start for a variety of reasons, from cooking being left unattended, to electrical faults or candles being placed too close to furnishings and Christmas decorations. It is therefore essential that everyone ensures that they have a working smoke alarm fitted on every level of their home, to provide vital early warning of a fire and give occupants crucial time to escape.

"I would urge everyone to visit our website, www.derbys-fire.gov.uk where there is a wealth of fire safety advice and information available."

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ALFRETON Town have been drawn away to Vanarama Conference rivals Lincoln City in the first round of the FA Trophy.

The tie is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 13, (3pm) at Sincil Bank.

The Reds have already run into Lincoln this season in the FA Cup, suffering a 5-1 replay defeat after a 1-1 draw at the Impact Arena. 

THE Amy Winehouse Foundation is to host a drugs awareness evening in Derbyshire.

Parents in Matlock are invited to attend an information evening aimed at increasing their awareness around drugs and young people.

Police are teaming up with Matlock Town Council and Highfields School to host the seminar titled 'Why young people really use drugs and alcohol and what we can do to prevent it?'

The Amy Winehouse Foundation Resilience Programme evening will take place at the Imperial Rooms on Imperial Road, Matlock, from 6-8pm on December 2. 

The seminar aims to inform parents and guardians about the underlying issues behind substance misuse, the range of substances currently in circulation, along with the side effects and risks.

It also aims to offer support to enable parents to have early conversations with their children about issues around drugs and alcohol.

The session will give parents an insight into the real-life struggles from a trained volunteer in recovery. Advice will be offered throughout the evening to signpost local treatment services for further information and support.

The seminar will follow with a question and answer session and refreshments will be provided.

The evening has been jointly funded by the Amy Winehouse Foundation, Addaction, the Big Lottery Fund and police.

THE A38 has partially reopened in both directions after a tanker overturned on the northbound carriageway.

It was closed between Clay Mills at Stretton and Branston earlier today.

A van also overturned on the southbound carriageway which was also closed. 

However, one lane in each direction is now reported to be open with traffic moving slowly.

A spokeswoman for Staffordshire Police said: "Emergency services are dealing with two collisions which were reported just after 1.40pm and as a result both the northbound and southbound carriageways are closed between Claymills (Stretton) and Branston junctions.

"Lengthy delays are likely on the northbound as this collision involves an overturned fuel tanker which has spilled fuel over the carriageway.

"The southbound collision involves two vehicles and injuries are not thought to be life threatening."

She said traffic was slow in both directions and urged people to avoid the area.

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TRAFFIC NEWS: One lane being reopened in each direction on A38 #Burton@EStaffsPolice area congested, motorists thanked for patience

— Staffordshire Police (@StaffsPolice) December 1, 2014

TRAVEL NEWS: Pls avoid A38 in #Burton if possible, two collision on A38 closing NB & SB @EStaffsPolice

— Staffordshire Police (@StaffsPolice) December 1, 2014

POLICE have issued these CCTV images of a woman they want to speak to in connection with a theft from a supermarket in Burton.

Staffordshire police said a group of around eight people entered the Nisa store, in Horninglow Road, on Monday, November 3 at 4.50pm.

The force said while the group distracted the shopkeeper one of them, a woman, went into an office and stole a quantity of cash.

The woman is between 40 and 50 and has long black hair and is believed to be of Eastern European origin.

Anyone with information, or anyone who knows the woman captured on CCTV, is asked to contact Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 653 of November 3 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

FOUR games without a goal is not unusual for most strikers in the Championship.

For Chris Martin, it is.

His record is excellent since signing permanently for Derby County from Norwich City in the summer of 2013.

He finished last season as top scorer with 25 goals in 51 appearances, a ratio of a goal every 2.04 games, and has 12 in 23 games this season.

Martin hit eight goals in as many matches before his mini barren spell and some feel he might be suffering an international hangover.

He was substituted at half-time in his first start for Scotland during the most recent international break, although he was not the only Scottish player to find it tough against England at Celtic Park.

Martin was openly critical of his own performance and too harsh on himself, in my opinion.

I did not expect a hangover from that night, as I wrote the following day, and I do not believe he is suffering one.

Yes, he missed a good chance in the victory over Watford at Vicarage Road but he was also twice denied by Jonathan Bond's agility.

Derby were far from at their best in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Leeds United and Martin's one sight of goal arrived early on. He got in behind the back four but his heavy first touch when trying to control a dropping ball took him away from goal and he was crowded out.

Martin, and Derby, have played better than they did at Elland Road and the service into him was not the best you will see.

He and his team-mates are not immune to an off-day.

What we must remember about Martin is the workload and responsibility he has carried on his shoulders in the last 16 months.

He has led the line in 74 of Derby's last 76 matches (71 starts and three as a substitute).

More often than not, his role has been that of a lone striker, which is a tough gig.

The two matches he has missed were against Millwall and Leeds United last season.

He sat out the Millwall game following his red card at Burnley and he was rested when Derby, with the play-offs in mind, travelled to Leeds in the final League game of the season.

Head coach Steve McClaren has tried to give Martin a brief breather this season.

He named him on the bench for the Capital One Cup ties against Carlisle United at Brunton Park and in the home tie with Charlton Athletic but had to call on Martin.

The striker scored the second goal in the 2-0 win at Carlisle and made a huge difference in the final 20 minutes against Charlton. His forceful play created Ivan Calero's late winning goal.

There is no concern over Martin.

He is a strong character, an intelligent footballer and somebody who is confident in his ability. He will be looking forward to facing Brighton this weekend.

He scored four goals in four appearances against the Seagulls last season, including a goal in both legs of the play-off semi-final.

BRIGHTON'S visit on Saturday is a stark reminder how losing in the play-offs can affect a club.

Derby County recorded a comfortable 6-2 aggregate victory over the Seagulls at the semi-final stage last season only to narrowly lose out against Queens Park Rangers in the final at Wembley.

The Rams' response to the disappointment has been terrific. They sit top of the Championship on 35 points after 19 games.

Things have not gone well for Brighton and defeat by Fulham at the weekend left them in the bottom three.

They have won only one of their last dozen matches and have recorded only three League victories since their promotion hopes were shattered by the Rams.

Brighton's team is also much-changed.

Only one player, Lewis Dunk, started both the play-off semi-final second leg tie at the iPro Stadium in May and last Saturday's fixture against Fulham.

Like Brighton, Wigan Athletic also lost in the play-offs last season and they also find themselves in the bottom three, having won only three of their 19 League games.

The Brighton and Wigan examples highlight how Derby have put disappointment behind them and moved forward.

REFEREE Mick Russell showed nine yellow cards in Saturday's Championship clash at Elland Road.

Five went to Derby County players and rather summed up the frustration felt in their performance and the result, a 2-0 defeat by Leeds.

Collecting so many bookings in one game is unusual for the Rams.

You have to go back to the hard-fought home victory over Brighton in January for the last time Derby received five yellows in a match. It is almost five years since they have picked up more than five yellows.

In January 2010, Derby collected six in a 1-0 defeat at Plymouth. The players booked that day were Jay McEveley, Stephen Pearson, Nicky Hunt, Robbie Savage, Jake Buxton and Steve Davies.

Referee Andy Hall of the West Midlands did not cover himself in glory that night.

He showed Lee Johnson a yellow card after Pearson kicked the ball away at a free-kick. Pearson appeared to inform Hall he had taken the wrong name and the referee eventually wrote down the correct one!

The Derby players booked at Leeds could have no complaints.

In fact, Omar Mascarell was fortunate not to be booked earlier in the first half before he was shown a yellow 10 minutes before the break.

Chris Martin's booking takes him to four but new rules this season have brought the cut-off point for suspensions for five yellows forward to the end of November, which means the striker is not in danger of an automatic one-match ban.

Players reaching 10 yellows before the second Sunday in April are suspended for two matches.

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ADAM Peaty has the opportunity to round off a spectacular season by adding a world crown to his glittering array of titles this week.

The City of Derby swimmer will be in action in Doha, the capital of Qatar, at the World Short Course Championships, starting tomorrow, when he takes on the best breaststroke swimmers on the planet.

Already the holder of the 50m long course world record, the 19-year-old from Uttoxeter starts among the favourites to claim another medal.

Peaty, who has been nominated for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award, has already competed against – and beaten – the finest swimmers in the Commonwealth and Europe.

This time around, the opposition will include athletes from the United States, South America and China – but he hopes he can sneak under the radar as he takes another step into the unknown.

He has made no special preparations for the event and has not interrupted his heavy winter training schedule, his attitude being very much one of "turn up, race and see how it all pans out".

"It has been an amazing year and it would be nice to round it off with a top-three place in Doha," said Peaty.

"I am a long course swimmer, really, but this will give me the chance to hone my skills, my starts, turns and pull-outs from turns, although I haven't made any special preparations and haven't interrupted my winter training schedule.

"I start on Wednesday with the 100m, then the 200m and finally the 50m. In between, I'll be competing in the relays.

"I think I may have a good shot at the 100m and 50m but I'm not so sure about the 200m, which is not really my event.

"It will be a case of turning up and seeing how it goes but it will all add to my experience."

Peaty hit the headlines by winning two gold medals at this summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in the 100m breaststroke and the 4x100m medley relay, along with a silver in the 50m breaststroke.

More success came his way at the European Championships in Berlin, where he won four more golds – in the 50m and 100m breaststroke and 4x100m medley and mixed medley relays – and also set a world record in the 50m event by clocking 26.62secs.

His excellent form also saw him become the first British swimmer to dip under 59 seconds for the 100m breaststroke and claim the British titles over 50m and 100m.

Having hit all the major targets he set for himself this year, any further success will be regarded as a bonus – especially as the 25m pool length does not suit him as well as the 50m used for most major championships including the Olympics.

Neither does his name appear in the current world short course rankings for the breaststroke events and his coach at City of Derby, Mel Marshall, is at pains to defuse expectations.

She said: "We are not expecting anything from these championships and Adam is actually quicker over long course than short course.

"He doesn't have a short course time this season. But it would be a nice way to round off his year, which has been one he will always remember."

Peaty will be accompanied by his mum, Caroline, and his coach to the Sports Personality of the Year event, where he will appear alongside newly-crowned world Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and golf superstar Rory McIlroy.

A confirmed car enthusiast, Peaty follows F1 and says it will be an honour to rub shoulders with the likes of Hamilton.

He said: "I love cars and I follow F1, although I don't really have the time to get into it completely. Lewis was amazing this year and it will be great to be seen on the same programme as him."

A double take is still required when Peaty reflects on his magnificent season.

He said: "It has been amazing. I can't put into words how to describe it. The success is down to my coach (Mel) and the group I am training with. They have all helped me.

"The hard work last winter allowed me to get there. Being nominated for the SPOTY is a fine way to cap it. I'm extremely proud of the nomination.

"The highlights of the year were the win in the 100m and the 50m world record. I couldn't really believe beating world champion Cameron Van Der Burgh and it was one of those moments that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

"To be the fastest man in history is incredible."

CITY of Derby duo Danielle Lowe and Harriet Cooper have been selected to represent GB in the Flanders Cup early next year, while disability athlete Lewis White has been competing at the World Schools Championships in Brazil.

He recently took gold medals in the 50m, 100m and 400m freestyle and the 100m backstroke and 1200m breaststroke at the national championships.    

TWO late birdies were too late to put Ian Walley among the main prizes on the final day of the Titleist PGA Play-Offs in Turkey.

A level-par 71 was only good enough to leave the Kedleston Park professional in a share of 15th place, though only one shot away from joining a six-way tie for ninth, on the PGA Sultan course at Antalya Golf Club.

With a range of invites for European Tour and Challenge Tour events, including 10 spots to play in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, for the leading finishers, that meant a frustrating end to the competition for Walley.

His tournament began with an encouraging round of 69 but he dropped back to level par with a 73 on day two.

A dropped shot at the first was not the ideal way to start the third day but he made that up with a birdie on the par-five third.

Six successive pars left Walley in a good position to challenge for the top 10 coming to the back nine but he dropped shots at the 10th and 13th to slip back.

Though he finished with birdies at the 16th and 18th, that left too much of a gap to make up.

Irishman Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) dominated the £15,000 tournament from start to finish and a final round of 67 left him 14 under par and the winner by two strokes.

Jason Levermore (Channels) produced the best round of the day, a 65, to snatch second place, one shot ahead of David Dixon (Enmore Park), who finished with a 66.

JAMIE Caven says he will bounce back stronger from a heartbreaking Players' Championship quarter-final defeat to Adrian Lewis.

Caven had a shot at the bull to beat Lewis 10-8 in a high-quality, nip-and-tuck match – it would have been a stunning 167 finish – but went down 10-9 after missing it.

Earlier, he had opened the £300,000 televised tournament in Minehead by beating his practice partner, Ian White, 6-4, registering 164 and 150 finishes along the way and missing only one attempt at a finish.

He followed up with a nail-biting 10-9 win over Robert Thornton, hanging on after seeing a 9-4 lead eaten away and winning the decider with a bullseye.

The tournament was won by Scot Gary Anderson, who beat Lewis in the final.

It was, therefore, an emotional rollercoaster for Derby darts ace Caven, who has recently moved to Boulton Moor from Oakwood – but it left him looking ahead to a possible meeting with darts legend Raymond van Barneveld in the World Championships in a fortnight.

"What a weekend!" said Caven.

"There were some scrappy darts at times and they always appear on TV! Only joking – but I felt so good going into the weekend.

"I was gutted to have to play my first game against my practice partner. Some may think this is easier but I can assure you it's not.

"He is a big hitter and knowing this can actually take the focus off your own game.

"The game against Robert was also so similar, I've played him so many times and knew what I had to do.

"At 9-4, that one leg is so far away but a slipped dart from Robert game me a glimmer and that bull – well, the gods were looking down on me.

"I love to play Adrian. We both like to play at a fast pace and we could not shake each other off but he did to me what I did to Ian."

The World Championships start on December 18 at London's Alexandra Palace.

"I've come out of it stronger, so, onwards and upwards and I'm preparing now for the Worlds," said Caven.

" I think Barney will be my seed if we both get past the first round – so bring it on, I will be ready!"

A NEW £14.5m joint headquarters for Derbyshire police and the county's fire and rescue service is expected to be rubber-stamped this week.

Reports put to police and crime commissioner Alan Charles recommend that he gives his approval to the move, which would see a purpose-built base for both organisations being created at the existing constabulary HQ in Ripley.

The report says the police and fire service have appointed a joint design team and a fully-worked-up specification has been drawn up.

Planning permission has been granted by Amber Valley Borough Council and, if Mr Charles approves the recommendation on Thursday, work could begin next year.

The report says: "During the last 12 months, the project has progressed well under the oversight of a joint board involving police and fire representatives.

"Fire and police have jointly agreed that staff carrying out similar functions will be known to one another across the new building, planning permission has been obtained, staff at both organisations have been consulted on the layout and a range of site investigations have been carried out in preparation for the new building."

The total cost of the project is estimated to be about £14.5m and the fire service has already been successful in obtaining a £1.5m grant awarded by the Department of Communities and Local Government.

Mr Charles is seeking £3m of similar funding from a Home Office Innovation Fund.

The site is expected to house more than 500 staff from both services.

It would see some buildings at the existing police headquarters, at Butterley Hall, demolished and replaced by a 7,700-square-metre office block.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said the grant, along with the sale of the Fire and Rescue Service's existing HQ, at Burton Road, Littleover, would "go a long way towards meeting the service's share of the capital cost of the project".

The report says: "There has been considerable negotiation to meet both the needs of the police and fire service, to ensure that there is a fair sharing of costs between the two organisations that takes into account the different number of staff that each organisation will put into the building.

"The police service will have some control over any potential future tenants on the headquarters site.

"(And) the fire service have agreed that all their staff working on this site will be vetted in accordance with the police's requirements."

If approved at Thursday's meeting, the tendering for the major contract is expected to begin next month and staff from both organisations are expected to be in the completed building by the end of February, 2017.

The building will house more than 500 staff from both services and it would see some buildings at the existing police headquarters demolished and replaced by a 7,700 square-metre office block.

Earlier this year, when the scheme was first announced, Terry Neaves, Derbyshire Constabulary's director of finance, said: "The new building is needed to replace the existing HQ buildings on site, which now require substantial refurbishment.

"As a result of austerity measures we are trying to centralise more tasks to save money and this building will help us to do that."

Thursday's meeting will take place at Butterley Hall, Ripley, and members of the public are welcome to attend.

JAMIE Ward takes another step towards a first-team return on Tuesday but skipper Richard Keogh is a major doubt for Derby County's home game against Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend.

Ward has been sidelined six weeks with a thigh injury he suffered in the victory at Reading in mid-October.

He will play in the under-21 fixture against West Bromwich Albion at the Rams' training ground on Tuesday afternoon along with Paul Coutts and Lee Naylor.

"Jamie will play some part and hopefully if he comes through that OK, he will be in the reckoning for Brighton," said coach Paul Simpson.

The Brighton game is likely to come round too soon for Keogh, who damaged his hamstring in the closing minutes of Saturday's defeat by Leeds United.

"He has had a scan and the diagnosis is a grade one hamstring strain," said Simpson.

"That makes him a doubt for this weekend.

"We are not ruling him out yet because it seems to be very similar to the one he picked up when he was away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, and he was fit for the Saturday.

"Fingers crossed we can get some good treatment into him this week and he may have a chance but the word from the physios is worst scenario he should be back for the following weekend, the Middlesbrough game."

Simpson says they will take no risks with Keogh, who has been ever-present this season.

"We have to do what is right for the long term," added Simpson.

"There is no point putting him into a game when there is a high percentage risk of him damaging his hamstring properly.

"We have got away with it to an extent because it is only a grade one strain.

"Hopefully he will be fine but we won't be taking chances.

"We believe we have got a good squad of players and the idea of having a good squad is that when they are needed, they can be called on.

"That is the case now. It will give an opportunity to somebody else."

Jake Buxton is the most likely replacement should Keogh be absent.

Buxton has not featured since the defeat at Brentford a month ago and he has started only two of the last 15 matches.

Another of the central defenders, Zak Whitbread, is still trying to shake off a hamstring problem.

"Zak had a little bit of a setback at the weekend," said Simpson.

"He trained on Saturday morning and had a bit of discomfort in the hamstring again.

"It is an annoying one because it is not serious but it's enough to keep him out.

"We are assessing that as the week goes on."

Whitbread did not train yesterday and Derby hope he might be able to join in training later this week.

He has missed the last six games.

Striker Leon Best is back in training after being unavailable at Leeds.

"Whether it was food poisoning or a stomach bug, we are not really sure but he was unwell Friday and worse Saturday," said Simpson.

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WHERE is the best venue for a Christmas party in Derbyshire?

Whether it be a pub, nightclub, hotel or sports club, we want to know where the top place to hold a festive celebration is – according to you.

Leave your comments under the story on our Facebook page and we will release the results later this week to let people know where to book. 

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DERBY Trailblazers had to dig deep to beat a feisty Bradford Dragons side whose poor league record almost defies belief.

They sit bottom of Division One but the majority of their defeats have come by only a handful of points and Trailblazers had to overturn a 13-point second quarter deficit to beat them 82-72.

A strong finish to the second period and a dominant third gave them the momentum they needed, even though Bradford gave Derby a further scare with a 13-0 burst midway through the fourth.

Dan Watts inspired an incredible finish for Trailblazers. From 66-62 down, Watts found Chris Shalvoy for a three-pointer before taking the ball inside for two points of his own and then dishing off to Alex Dorr for another triple.

Shalvoy then found Dorr inside for another two and with Derby 72-66 ahead, Bradford called a time-out.

Rihard Sulcs added four points for the home side before Watts found Shalvoy open for another three. Bradford responded with a three-point play from JP Davies before Dorr and Sulcs exchanged baskets to take the score to 77-72 to Derby with 39 seconds remaining.

Dragons fouled at every opportunity to stop the clock and regain possession of the ball but Trailblazers held their nerve from the line to secure the win.

Derby went into the game light in numbers, with work commitments depriving them of Sam O'Shea and Lamar Morrison.

They held their own through a tight first quarter which Dragons edged 22-18 but were hampered as Dorr and Raheem May-Thompson were both called for two fouls.

May-Thompson tied the game at 22-22 early in the second but was then called for a third foul. When Dorr committed his third, Bradford went ahead 39-26.

John Gould nailed a three-pointer just as the buzzer sounded to cut the gap to 43-40 at the break and Derby started the third with a 9-0 run.

Bradford ended the third quarter strongly, cutting the deficit to 56-53, but the Blazers started the fourth with six unanswered points and despite Bradford's late fightback, they had done enough to record their eighth league win of the season.

BRADFORD: Sulcs 27, Davies 17, J Swaine 8, Lorenzo 6, Bantock 5, Szlavik 5, Lang 4.

DERBY: Shalvoy 16, Dorr 13, May-Thompson 13, Stewart 12, Watts 11, Goldsbrough 8, Gould 7, King 2.

Unbeaten Essex Leopards are the opposition for Trailblazers at Noel-Baker School in a Division One match on Saturday (7.15pm).

HEMEL Storm were blown away from the start as Derby Trailblazers powered their way to a 91-60 win.

Raheem May-Thompson was the star, coming off the bench to score 30 points which included a trio of three-pointers and a pair of huge slam dunks.

At the other end, he also blocked three Storm shots as he dominated offensively and defensively.

Derby were in full flight right from the off. Consecutive inside scores from Alex Dorr, Lee Goldsbrough and a pair from John Stewart were followed up by three-pointers from Dan Watts and Chris Shalvoy to make it 14-0 before Hemel got on the scoreboard.

May-Thompson responded with seven unanswered points as Trailblazers closed the period 29-11 up.

The lead climbed to 37-13 in the second and though an 11-3 Storm run cut the gap to 42-26 with three minutes to half-time, May-Thompson shot six more points as Derby went 48-26 up at the break.

His second dunk sparked a 22-9 run to conclude the third at 79-44 and with such a huge lead, coach Matt Shaw was able to rest the majority of his starters throughout the final quarter in preparation for the following day's trip to Bradford and, even then, Hemel could barely make any inroads.

DERBY: May-Thompson 30, Dorr 18, Gould 10, Shalvoy 7, Denholm 4, Goldsbrough 4, Stewart 7, Nelson 6, Watts 3, King 2.

HEMEL: Adorian 27, Mumuni 9, Josey 7, Rickwood 6, Edwards 4, Darlow 3, Kearney 2, Mohammed 2.

MARATHON-MAN Nigel Bond was left cursing Lady Luck as he failed to pull another 11th-hour victory out of the bag as he went down in the UK Snooker Championship third round.

The 49-year-old former world number five lost 6-5 to young Scot Anthony McGill at the York Barbican in his second match in three days to go to a deciding frame.

After the Derbyshire player's heroics on Saturday, where he came from 5-0 down to beat fifth-ranked Barry Hawkins, Bond felt what it was like to be on the other side as McGill recovered from 4-1 down to triumph.

And in the decider a lucky break off the reds gave the up-and-comer what he needed to make a break of 76 to seal the win, much to Bond's frustration.

"I played well to go 4-1 up but then there were a few scrappy frames," said Bond. "But he did get lucky.

"In the eighth frame he went for a yellow in the corner and it missed, went the length of the table and in the other corner.

"That's hard to take as at 5-3 up I'd have been in the driving seat.

"Towards the end I didn't get any of the run and after he missed the pack in the final frame he's been left on a perfect plant which he could then break up the balls and make a frame-winning break.

"It just wasn't meant to be my day I guess."

Despite the loss, Bond's epic comeback in round two and his more conventional 6-3 victory over Stuart Carrington in his opener has given him confidence heading into the coming weeks.

"I can be positive as I've played some good snooker but I'm disappointed to lose that way. It felt like I could have gone on a bit of a run really," he added.

"It wasn't a case of being affected by the other night as I've had a day off and time to rest and refocus. Having won that game I was really up for this one as it gave me a lot of confidence.

"I'm not exhausted at the moment in time as the adrenaline is still pumping. This is what we do.

"I'll be heading to the PTC in Portugal in a couple of weeks, so I'll be looking to recharge and prepare for that.

"I played with quite a bit more confidence than I have done after the Barry Hawkins game, so we'll see what happens."

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BELPER booked their place in the Midlands Junior Vase fourth round after moving up a gear in the second half at Aldridge.

The first half was more of an arm wrestle than a rugby game, with Aldridge very strong at the scrum and competing well at the break down.

Belper flexed their arm with strong runs from Dave Bacon, Sam Hallam-Gray and Craig Innocent but could not kick on and break the home defence.

The closest anyone came to scoring was after a trademark run from veteran Gareth Dakin.

But he was rightly adjudged to be held up over the line and the first half remained scoreless.

The second half saw Belper come out and play more open rugby.

Belper's scrums were now solid and it was from the base of this that Mitch Wilmott powered over for the first score with the second half eight minutes old.

And Belper stretched the lead after a powerful run from Bacon who beat his defenders to score.

Five minutes later Belper scored again from a piece of excellent support play.

Dakin broke the line running an excellent angle but was too far out to go all the way.

Wilmott was found in space and Rory Peverell supported well. After passing to Hallam-Gray he was available for the next offload and went over in the corner.

In the last 10 minutes, Jack Smith scored the last of the tries following a good move by the backs.

Tom Stones kicked two of the four conversions and Belper held on to secure a win and a clean sheet.

They travel to Rolls Royce on Saturday for a Mildands Four East (North) game (2.15pm kick-off).

TRAFFIC lights have failed at a major junction in Derby due to a mains power failure.

Police were alerted to the lights going out at the junction of Uttoxeter Road and Manor Road shortly after 1.30pm.

A spokesperson for Derby city council said: "The engineer has informed us that the signals are out due to mains power failure. 

"Western Power have been contacted and have informed us that it is a known fault and the power should be back on in the next hour.

A police spokesman said: "We have officers at the junction helping the traffic to move but it is a busy junction."