Derby 0 Preston North End 2

Rams Captain Warren Barton sent off in yet another woeful display from Derby County

Derby County's woes intensified as they crashed to a 2-0 defeat against draw specialists Preston at Pride Park.

John Gregory's side have made a dreadful start to the season and their problems worsened as they also had Warren Barton sent off on the stroke of half time.

The former Wimbledon and Newcastle defender was shown the red card after throwing Richard Cresswell to the ground as he tried to wrestle the ball off the Preston striker.

The Rams were already a goal down at that stage - former Manchester City youngster Dickson Etuhu scuffing a 15-yard shot home four minutes before half time after Ricardo Fuller had beaten Barton and whipped in an inviting cross.

Dickson Etuhu scores Prestons first goal

Derby had started the game brightly and created the early chances with Adam Bolder curling a first minute shot towards goal that forced a fine save from Tepi Moilanen.

However, Derby found it increasingly difficult to create any clear-cut chances as Preston appeared content to sit back, soak up the pressure and hit the hosts on the break.

Craig Brown's side had drawn six of their first eight Nationwide Division One matches but they easily curbed the rare attacking forays of a poor Derby side after the break.

Derby's best chance of an equaliser came in the 55th minute when Chris Riggott rose well to meet a corner, but his

The Rams were killed off by a David Healy strike for the Rams second home defeat and seventh league lose of the season

header looped over the Preston crossbar.

As the home fans grew increasingly frustrated by their side's inability to break down the stubborn Preston defence, the visitors broke quickly in the 77th minute and substitute David Healy raced on to Paul McKenna's pass before slotting the ball past Mart Poom.

The win lifts Preston up to 12th in the first division table, one place above Derby, who have now lost six of their opening ten League games