Having finally found a winning formula in recent weeks, the Rams were brought back down to earth with a bump in this Friday evening kickoff.  

Derby were weakened with the both the influential Kris Commons and Nacer Barazite ruled out through injury and were forced to play a more traditional 442 formation; with Chris Porter making his first start for the Rams up front and a return from injury for Gary Teale on the left. 

In a first half lacking in quality from both sides it was Porter who came closest for the Rams heading onto the bar from a Connolly free kick. 

The half-time break rejuvenated both teams, but it was the Rams who came out the brightest and within 5 minutes had taken the lead. Robbie Savage was quick to take control of the free kick won after Hulse was brought down on the edge of the box.  Savage struck the ball sweetly, over the wall and into the top corner; his first in a Derby shirt. 

Derby’s lead however was short lived, as Paul Heffermen headed low past Bywater to bring Doncaster back into the game.

After failing to defend a Doncaster corner properly the Rams found themselves behind in a league game for the first time in a month. The ball fell to Mark Wilson, whose awkward shot from 25 yards dipped and swayed, bouncing in front of Bywater and up into the net. 

Whilst Bywater may have been at fault for Doncaster’s second, he was back on form to deny Hefferman ten minutes from time with an excellent reflex save. 

All in all it was a disappointing performance from the Rams after their recent run of form, but with the weekend to regroup before Tuesday night’s match against Swansea let’s hope it proves to be just a blip in an upwards trend.

Matches between these old rivals require little in the way of introduction at the best of times, but add Derby’s FA cup comeback just a fortnight ago into the mix and the intensity is taken up a notch.  This fixture is as much about pride as it is three points. 

The Rams, keen not to let the occasion spoil their recent winning streak were first out of the blocks, and in less than five minutes Lewin Nyatanga was able to put the Rams one up volleying Kris Commons’ free kick into the bottom corner. 

Derby were dealt yet another injury blow to accompany those picked up at Coventry midweek as Nacer Barazite was replaced by Sterjovski on 15 minutes after being forced off with a dislocated shoulder.    

Despite going behind early it was Forest who were to have the better chances for the remainder of the first half, with Earnshaw twice lifting the ball over Bywater’s bar. 

Having used half time to regroup the Rams came out fired up and with barely a minute of the second half on the clock had doubled their lead.  Once again the goal came from a set-piece; this time crossed in by Robbie Savage and glanced goalwards by Hulse with a deft header on the edge of the six yard box. 

If a state of euphoria had not already been reached amongst the hordes of travelling Derby supporters then it certainly was by the 62^nd minute when Rob Hulse was pushed in the box by Forest captain James Perch.  The resulting penalty was tucked away by Steve Davies to make it three to the Rams. 

Having already used all three substitutions Derby were forced to finish the game with ten men as Jay McEveley like Barazite suffered with his shoulder. 

With the extra man Forest again applied the pressure, eventually pulling one back through Earnshaw who headed down into the Derby net.  

This proved to be only a consolation as Derby walked away with their heads held high.  It had been over thirty years since a Derby victory at the City Ground and with two now in as many weeks things are certainly looking on to be on the up!