Preston North End 1 Derby County 2

Rams manager Billy Davies ends his former clubs proud home record

Former Preston North End manager Billy Davies returned to haunt his old club as Derby County ran out 2-1 winners at Deepdale.

Preston had the early chances with Callum Davidson firing a 30-yard shot off target and Danny Pugh hitting a dangerous free-kick which was headed narrowly wide of his own goal by Derby striker Steve Howard.

Preston captain Graham Alexander hit a shot off target from a Pugh corner.

Ex-Preston loan player David Jones hit an innocuous free-kick straight at Carlo Nash but he juggled with the ball and it led to Michael Johnson heading against the bar and Sean St. Ledger clearing before Jon Stead had a shot cleared.

Stead had another shot off target before Preston got their best chance of the first half.

Preston fans last September still giving Billy Davies a hard time in January but their former manager has the last word

David Nugent squared the ball to Brett Ormerod who was clear but his shot was tipped away for a corner.

Howard was booked for foul on Davidson and Derby's 18-year-old midfielder Giles Barnes had a 20-yard right-foot shot which went off target.

Davidson was booked for a foul on Stead and Howard headed over with Matt Hill also shooting off target.

Dean Leacock was booked for dissent after a foul on Ormerod with Ormerod also getting booked seconds later.

Steve Howard scores at Deep Dale

Derby made it 1-0 just after the re-start when a shot by Morten Bisgaard from the right was only parried by goalkeeper Nash and Howard scored from close range.

Derby were awarded a penalty just three minutes later when Liam Chilvers, who looked outside the penalty box, fouled Stead.

Howard hit a low right-foot penalty to Nash's left and he got a touch but the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Preston pulled a goal back with ten minutes left when Nugent latched on to Alexander's cross and scored from five yards but the late surge couldn't prevent Derby taking all three points.