Kayden Jackson lay on the floor. His shirt over his face in despair.
After 80 minutes of disciplined defending from Derby, his wayward pass was seized upon, with the move resulting in a Finn Azaz goal.
That moment would prove decisive with The Rams falling to a 1-0 defeat at The Riverside which leaves them winless in 12 at the bottom of the Championship.
Derby battled hard, but the hosts dominated possession throughout, as might be expected of a side managed by Michael Carrick, once a midfielder who oozed class for Manchester United.
Following the late 1-0 defeat to Millwall 7 days prior, Eustace made five changes, including a first start for Harrison Armstrong, as he reverted to a 4-2-3-1 formation to match Middlesbrough. And just as when they used the shape against QPR, Derby started on the front foot, pressing high.
This led to the first chance of the game as the ball dropped to captain Ebou Adams, whose curling 20-yard effort was pushed wide by the diving Mark Travers.
Jerry Yates then saw a shot sail wide on the counter as Middlesbrough gained a grip on the game.
The home crowd were awoken after a neat move down the right which culminated in an effort from Marcus Forss, which was parried by Jacob Widell Zetterström before Sondre Langås blocked the rebound.
Morgan Whittaker saw an effort whistle wide moments later and was later denied a simple header from six yards out after a crucial intervention from Craig Forsyth.
Middlesbrough were inches away from taking the lead on the stoke of half-time, as Azaz hit the post from 20 yards out.
Derby had a great chance six minutes after the break, Tom Barkhuizen pulled the ball across the six-yard box where Jackson arrived, but he dummied the ball and Boro cleared their lines.
Adams made a strong tackle to deny Azaz a tap-in with 20 minutes to play and then put an acrobatic effort over the bar from a free kick two minutes later.
After 80 minutes of resilient defending from The Rams, Carrick’s side finally broke through, intercepting Kayden Jackson’s poor pass. Tommy Conway and Kelechi Iheanacho both saw shots blocked before Finn Azaz found the net from twelve yards.
Analysis: A stark moment
Derby have now officially hit rock bottom in this Championship season – there can be no denying that.
Head coach John Eustace praised his side’s “fantastic attitude” and yet again their work rate was immense. But there was not enough quality on display.
67 per cent of passes completed, 57 per cent of tackles won compared to Middlesbrough’s 87 per cent. Just four successful crosses and three successful dribbles.
There is now a mountain to climb, The Rams four points from safety, while 21st-place Hull also have a game in hand.
Questions will only increase regarding recruitment; in many ways this is a natural time to reflect. The scramble for free agents over recent weeks points to both the injury crisis, and shortcomings on the transfer front. But on matchday, that must be put to one side, as John Eustace only has the card he has been dealt.
Defensively, Derby just need to cut out silly mistakes, but going forward, now is surely the time to try things and give youngsters a chance, such as Harrison Armstrong, who looked comfortable on the ball in Teeside or Charles Agbawodikeizu, named amongst the substitutes for the first time after starring for Derby’s youth teams.
They say that when you hit rock bottom, the only way is up. That does not seem likely on current trajectory.
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