Derby came into this game off the back of four consecutive defeats; a positive result was imperative. In true Derby style, the Rams refused to do things the simple way, and instead took the 27,000 strong Pride Park crowd on an 85 minute rollercoaster ride of missed opportunities.

The Pride Park heart attacks began in just the second minute; City forced Derby back into their own box, allowing Costa Rican striker Álvaro Saborío a header at close range. Luckily for the Rams, the new defensive partnership of Leacock and Barker were able to block the ball sufficiently for Bywater to come out on top of the goal mouth scramble that ensued.

The first half continued with neither side looking particularly keen to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Orr and Sno both shot worryingly wide from just outside of the penalty box for City, but the visitors were unable to make much headway beyond that.

The second half marked what was probably the most exciting 45 minutes of football at Pride Park this season. The Rams shot out of blocks with debutant James Vaughan pushing hard for his first Derby goal but was ultimately matched by City keeper Basso.

The excitement really began just after the 50 minute mark as Rob Hulse was wrestled to the ground by Bristol captain McCombe.  Hulse appeared to throw the ball at McCombe’s feet; as the two stood up they came face to face and in a theatrical performance worthy of a part in a West End play McCombe threw himself backwards in an attempt to get the Derby man sent off for a head butt.  The two never made contact. The resultant yellow card for McCombe became particularly costly when less than two minutes later the Bristol man blocked Hulse as he stormed towards the box.  The referee had no choice but to reach for the second yellow and relegate the Bristol captain to the dressing room.

The sending off proved to be a turning point in the game as Derby surged onwards with their man advantage.  The dominant Derby however appeared unable to get a ball on target, shot after shot went horribly off target or were saved all to easily by Basso.

Croft should have put the Rams ahead when he was gifted the ball by horrendous clearance by Basso; with the City keeper left perilously on the edge of his own box all Croft had to do was pass the ball into the net. Instead he blasted it wide and over; the miss was almost criminal.

Gary Teale on the opposite wing had been having an absolute horror of a game; cries for his substitution echoed around Pride Park. It was the Scotsman however who was to grab the points for the Rams. Teale received the ball from Barker well within his own half, moving swiftly down the left wing the Scot cut inwards beating the City defence to shoot low from 25 yards beating Basso at his near post.  Out of all the players in a Derby shirt Teale had perhaps looked to be the least likely to score; but then again who can predict football!?

Three points should never be bemoaned, but in a game when Derby had no less than twenty attempts on goal questions should really be asked about the quality of the final ball from many players.  The biggest plus to come from the game was undoubtedly the return of Leacock and his partnership with Shaun Barker, this pairing looked solid and hopefully they will be able to build upon this strong start against the impressive Cardiff strike force on Tuesday night.

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!

SuperRams – the one-off movie – will be showcased at 5pm on Sunday 28th September 2008.

SuperRams is a fantastic compilation of Derby County’s classic footballing moments dating from the 1946 FA Cup Final win against Charlton, beating Manchester United in the 1970 Cup Final, the team celebrating league championship win in 1972 and beating Real Madrid in 1975.

The screening will also include a full episode of ‘Cloughies Golden Oldies’ a 1987 series in which Brian Clough looked back at great football matches. The programme was compiled by Philip Leach, archivist and curator at MACE (Media Archive Of Central England).

Introduced by Simon Groom with appearances by several ex-Derby players such as Roy McFarland, Roger Davies and Reg Harrison.

- SuperRams (E) on Derby QUAD

It’s all part of Derby Festé – a weekend of spectacular events to mark the opening of QUAD, Derby’s new centre for art and film, on the Market Place in Derby from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September 2008.

Book your tickets online or call the QUAD Box office on 01332 290606.