Derby 2 Sheff Utd 1

Izale MacLeod scores the equalising goal for the Rams. His first in league football

Derby ended their goal drought to notch their first home win since late August to halt United's surge up the Nationwide Division One table.

Izale McLeod got his first goal in professional football and Deon Burton grabbed his first forDerby in over a year after Shaun Murphy had given the Blades the lead.

United had won four of their five previous

Murphy scores first for the blades

games and gradually took control with Murphy netting from close range in the 23rd minute after Derby failed to deal with a corner.

But McLeod sparked a fightback with a 36th minute equaliser after Georgi Kinkladze andformer United winger Lee Morris had put him in on goal.

McLeod's pace was a constant threat to United who did not look the same side after Aston Villa's on-loan striker Michael Boulding limped off in the first half.

Derby gradually grew in confidence and threatened to take the lead on several occasions with McLeod forcing Paddy Kenny into two excellent saves.

Burton back after breaking a bone in his foot scores a vital goal for the Rams

But United almost went back in front when Carl Asaba drove a left-foot shot just wide inthe 74th minute but the last word went to Derby.

Burton, who had not played before under manager John Gregory, marked his first Derby appearance since January with a well-taken goal after United failed to clear a corner from the left.

Neil Warnock made two late changes but although there was three minutes of stoppage time, it was not enough for United to rescue a match that had run away from them.

This was a vital win for Derby who were missing experienced players through injury but the enthusiasm of McLeod suggests this game could be a turning point in their season.

It was their first victory in a month and left United to reflect on their first defeat in six games on a night when they could have climbed to second in the table