Burton Albion vs Derby County. Sky Bet Championship.
Pirelli StadiumAttendance6,746.
Sunday 28 August 2016 09:07, UK
Jackson Irvine's first-half header handed Burton a famous win over local rivals Derby in the Championship on Friday night.
Just 12 miles separate the two clubs, and it was just the one goal that divided them on the night as Irvine scored his third goal in four league games.
Despite Nigel Pearson calling on Darren Bent and loanee signing James Wilson in the second half, the visitors were unable to break down a resolute Burton defence.
The win handed Burton manager Nigel Clough all three points against his former club, in what was the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides.
The hosts started brightly under the lights at the Pirelli Stadium, with Lloyd Dyer forcing an early save from Scott Carson in the Derby goal.
Burton continued to press, and were rewarded for their fast start when Irvine headed home from six yards out after Lucas Akins' cross.
Akins proved a constant threat down the right for Burton, and his perfectly weighted cross handed Irvine another goal for his new side, having joined Burton for a club record £350k in the summer.
Derby enjoyed more of the ball after Burton's opener, but failed with the final ball when building an attack.
Claims for a penalty were waved away just before the break when Chris Martin's effort struck against Akins, but the 27-year-old kept his arms down in a natural position.
Just before the hour-mark, Wilson, who joined on loan from Manchester United this week, came on along with Bent as Derby pushed for an equaliser.
Wilson looked lively, but both he and Bent failed to fashion any changes of note in the second half.
As the full-time whistle neared, it was Burton who came close to adding a second, but Marcus Harness failed to get a proper connection following Chris O'Grady's cross.
