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Derby County made it three wins on the spin in Sky Bet League One after a 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing's last minute strike added to a Jack Hunt own-goal to secure a huge three points for the Rams.


Key Moments

The first effort of the afternoon went the way of the visitors and it was a scramble in the box which resulted in former Ram forward Chris Martin having a goal bound shot blocked at point-blank range.

Chances were few and far between in the opening stages and Louie Sibley had the first one for Derby when he let fly from range but his strike was comfortably held by Matthew Cox.


Eiran Cashin headed straight into the arms of Cox from a corner before Conor Hourihane blazed one over the bar from the edge of the box as chances remained at the bare minimum in the opening 30 minutes.

The best chance of the opening stages went the way of the Gas when neat interplay down the right eventually resulted in Sam Finley firing over from just inside the area.


And the visitors were inches away from taking the lead right on the stroke of half-time when Grant Ward bent an effort from the edge of the area which clipped Joe Wildsmith's inside post before fortunately trickling to safety.

The Rams came out much brighter after the restart and put the Gas under some real pressure in the early stages but were still unable to find that crucial breakthrough.


That was until the hour mark when Derby finally took the lead. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing did brilliantly down the right and drilled a low ball into the box which was skewed into the back of his own net by Hunt.

It could have been two moments later but for an incredible last-ditch tackle from a Rovers defender, denying Max Bird who had been slipped through on goal.

Sibley was denied by an on-rushing Cox as the Rams looked tot double their advantage and seal the game in the final stages.


And Derby were punished for not killing the game off when Martin headed home an equaliser with two minutes remaining. A free-kick came in from the right and Martin rose above everyone to steer a header into the far corner.

But the Rams didn't let that deflate them and they were only behind for a minute.

Substitute Tyrese Fornah did superbly down the right to find Mendez-Laing who was free in the centre of the box and the latter made no mistake, finishing calmly beyond Cox.


Nine additional minutes were added but the Rams held on for an important three points at Pride Park.

The Teams

Derby County: Wildsmith (GK), Hourihane (C), Cashin, Barkhuizen (62' Wilson), Bird (73' Bradley), Collins (81' Waghorn), Mendez-Laing, Smith (62' Fornah), Sibley, Nyambe, Nelson.

Substitutes not used: Vickers (GK), John-Jules, Ward.

Bristol Rovers: Cox (GK), Grant, Wilson, Finley (C), Ward (73' Brown), Collins (81' Marquis), Martin, Vale, Evans, Friend (73' Thomas), Hunt.

Substitutes not used: Ward (GK), Woods, Taylor, Gibbons.


Attendance

26,623 (1,685 Bristol Rovers supporters)

What's Up Next?

It's a short turnaround for the Rams as they return to Sky Bet League One action with an away trip against Port Vale on Tuesday evening (7:45pm kick-off).

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