Jackson Irvine's headed goal 12 minutes in proved to be the difference as Burton Albion beat near-neighbours Derby County 1-0 at the Pirelli Stadium.
County struggled to create any real clear-cut chances in the first competitive meeting between the two rivals, with Jon McLaughlin making just a few straightforward stops.
Burton did more than enough to see things through in a rather comfortable manner, ensuring that Nigel Clough tasted victory against his former suitors in front of a record home attendance.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole live coverage of the Championship meeting between Burton Albion and Derby County at the Pirelli Stadium. Just 12 miles separate these two sides, who will face off in a competitive fixture this evening for the first time ever. That, more than anything else, highlights just how far the home side have come in recent times.
The main focus ahead of tonight's match concerns Nigel Clough, who is now in charge of Burton but did spend more than four years with Derby before being shown the exit in September 2013. In truth Clough's tenure at the now-iPro Stadium will be remembered for its mediocrity, but he did make a fair point in the build-up to the Rams' visit when mentioning the amount of money spent since his departure and, perhaps more importantly, the stagnation in terms of getting out of the division.
Clough insists that tonight's match is "nothing personal", with just three points on the line much like every other weekend. But it will surely mean something to him, and indeed the home supporters, to get one over on their bigger and more illustrious rivals in this first league meeting between the pair. Before checking out both sides in a little more depth, let us turn attention to some team news.
TEAM NEWS!
BURTON ALBION XI: McLaughlin; Brayford, McFadzean, Turner, Miller; Naylor, Palmer, Irvine; Dyer, Akins, O'Grady
DERBY COUNTY XI: Carson, Christie, Keogh, Shackell, Olsson; Bryson, Hughes, Ince, Butterfield, Russell; Martin
The home team have decided to thrown Will Miller straight into the mix this evening, 24 hours after joining on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. The youngster will start just off Chris O'Grady in attack, while John Brayford is another newcomer with a pivotal role to play as he starts at wing-back in this 3-5-2 formation. Matt Palmer will be the man asked to sit deep and protect the defence, while the two midfielders alongside him - Naylor and Irvine - will push forward to provide support.
It is a formation that promises goals, as witnessed across the opening four league fixtures, but in Ben Turner - a free signing from Cardiff City in the summer - Albion have a no-nonsense central defender who will take some beating. It is the inclusion of Miller which will grab the headlines, though, with many Spurs fans no doubt watching on keenly to see exactly how the 20-year-old fairs during his first outing at Championship level.
Derby have made just the one change from last time out, meanwhile, as Marcus Olsson is brought in for his first league start of the season in place of long-term injury victim Craig Forsyth. Chris Martin is given the nod in attack, preferred this evening to Manchester United youngster James Wilson who has to settle for a place on the bench at the Pirelli Stadium this evening.
BENCH WATCH!
BURTON ALBION SUBS: Bywater, Williamson, Beavon, McCrory, Choudhury, Harness, Barker
DERBY COUNTY SUBS: Grant, Bent, Baird, Wilson, Pearce, Camara, Blackman
Derby have a number of players still nursing injury problems, the latest being Forsyth who was so unfortunate to pick up another nasty injury last weekend. Nigel Pearson has made seven changes to his side from the midweek EFL Cup win over Carlisle United, so plenty of movement on the Derby bench. One man who will not be involved at any point this evening for the hosts is skipper John Mousinho, as he has failed to shrug off a hamstring problem.
Since returning to the Burton helm last December, Clough was able to push on from where Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink left off to guide his side to the second tier for the first time in the club's history. The Brewers took some time to settle, having lost both of their opening fixtures - albeit in very tight games - before picking up that illusive first win at home to Sheffield Wednesday recently - arguably the first shock result of the Championship season.
It has been all about ticking boxes for Albion, and they were able to pick up their first away point last time out with a 2-2 draw at Blackburn Rovers. A solid return overall for Clough and his men, then, but the less said about the 5-0 midweek thrashing at the hands of Premier League Liverpool the better. In fairness to Clough, he said ahead of that cup match that his biggest priority this week was getting all three points against neighbours Derby.
There is far more expectation on the Derby, it is fair to say, as they have a squad that should again be challenging for promotion. Pearson was seen as the ideal man to do what Steve McClaren and Paul Clement could not by guiding the Rams to the Promised Land, but it has been a slow start for the former Leicester City manager. Five points from a possible 12 hardly ideal, but it is still early days yet.
The goalless home draws against Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa may well prove to be four points dropped eight months from now, but on the face of it they were hardly disastrous results. The lack of goals may well be a concern at this early stage, although clean sheets please managers just as much and no other side in the Championship has recorded more shutouts than the Rams across the opening four fixtures.
The away defeat to Barnsley was a real concern for Pearson, though, putting extra pressure on County this evening to put things right and climb into the early playoff mix. Derby have won one game - a late Forsyth goal giving them victory at Preston North End a little over a week ago. Pearson now needs his players to step things up that extra one per cent, to use a cliche, if they are to finally get over the line this time around.
The Pirelli Stadium is the venue for the opening fixture of this final Championship weekend before the international break - a venue where dreams could well come true for Brewers supporters if their recent rise is anything to go by. No talk about Premier League football around these parts just yet, but the hosts will see this as a huge chance to again show that they deserve to be at this level by picking up a famous result over their rivals.
KICKOFF! Derby County get us underway at the Pirelli Stadium in this first ever meeting with Burton Albion in a competitive fixture. The Rams need to find their scoring groove this evening, while at the other end it may prove to be a tough evening for the hosts' attacking players.
Burton the sides asking the question at the moment, looking to make inroads down the right-hand side. A cross does come into the box but it is easily dealt with, and a rather sloppy challenge gives the Rams a chance to regather following a positive Albion start.
O'Grady currently dropping into midfield to provide some defensive support, with loanee Will Miller the man staying furthest advanced. The Tottenham youngster, described as a "wildcard" by manager Clough, favours playing just off the leading striker.
SAVE! The first big chance of the evening falls the way of Burton, as O'Grady's closing down on Christie orchestrates an opening from nothing for Dyer. The midfielder blasted the ball at goal from close range, but Carson remained strong to palm the ball away, with Miller miscuing the rebound wide.
Another shot is sent over Carson's bar by Akins, this time from long range, as Burton continue to stamp their authority on the contest. Derby yet to really get going in this match, which epitomises their season over these first few weeks.
County showing signs of growing into the match now, but Butterfield cannot quite get on the end of Martin's ball inside the box. Burton looking to close their opponents down at the back, which is really disrupting the Rams' flow.
GOAL! BURTON ALBION 1-0 DERBY COUNTY (JACKSON IRVINE)
Burton take the lead at the Pirelli Stadium, with less than 15 minutes on the clock! A superb Lucas Akins cross from the right-hand side was met by Jackson Irvine a few yards out - the midfielder timing his run to perfection to swoop in and nod the ball home.
I wouldn't go as far as saying that Albion deserved that opener, but there is no denying that they are the side who made the brighter start to the match ahead of the breakthrough moment. Burton the top-scoring side from headers this term - Akins this time helping himself to an assist.
Burton still the team looking the more composed team, as their latest attack ends with Dyer blasting over the bar from range. Both centre-backs came up for a corner prior to that drive, but the delivery was not the best on this occasion.
Pearson may be looking to change things around, even at this early stage, with his team unable to put any sort of attacking move together. Chris Martin completely stranded up top at the moment; Burton having no such trouble as they keep on coming.
Johnny Russell wins a header and quickly follows up the ball to create half a chance for the Rams, but he failed to put his foot through the ball and a shot never arrived as he was crowded out. Brayford stuck his leg out and was perhaps fortunate not to have made solid contact with the Derby man.
Burton still the side in front thanks to that Irvine header around 13 minutes in at the Pirelli Stadium. Derby have marginally improved since then but have still yet to test McLaughlin in the Albion goal, with a quarter of the match now played.
SHOT! Derby's first shot of the night arrives via the boot of Butterfield, who rolled his foot over the ball 25 yards out and blasted a shot on target which McLaughlin got well behind to collect. Much better from the visitors.
A promising position for the hosts comes to nothing as Miller gets the ball stuck under his feet when looking to see the options he had up alongside him. The youngster tries to get in behind but is a little too hands-on and concedes a free kick.
Burton have been unable to push on from their bright showing in the opening quarter of the match, with chances few and far between for both in truth. Just that one Butterfield shot from range to shout about over the past 10 minutes.
SHOT! O'Grady does well to turn and shoot on the edge of the box, even when losing his footing and falling to ground. Not enough power on it to really trouble Carson, though, who comfortably collected down the middle.
Miller unable to really hold the ball up, which is understandable given his age and stature. Christie rushes back on this occasion to win back possession for his side, although Derby themselves are unable to get the ball into the box.
County have been knocking the ball around for a good few minutes now, pretty much without a single Burton touch. That is all well and good, but it is a tad too pedestrian and the final ball is lacking once they do work it towards the opposition box.
Shackell goes for a more direct route to goal, hitting the ball over the top and, unfortunately for him, straight out of play for a Burton goal kick. The Brewers more than comfortable as things stand, with half time fast approaching.
Naylor does brilliantly to win the ball back for his side, signalling an Albion counter. The ball was sprayed out to Dyer on the left, but a quick one-two with O'Grady does not quite come off and Derby are able to recover.
Butterfield flashes the ball into the box from the left, which Keogh is unable to properly connect with. Five minutes to go until the interval at the Pirelli Stadium and we have still yet to truly see County get going in attack.
SHOT! Derby's clearest opening yet falls to Martin, who has a yard of space to take on a shot just inside the box but sees his attempt blocked aside brilliantly by Akins in front of goal. The odd shout for handball, but it was never going to be given.
HALF TIME: BURTON ALBION 1-0 DERBY COUNTY
Burton Albion take a one-goal advantage into the break against Derby County, thanks to Jackson Irvine's headed effort 12 minutes in at the Pirelli Stadium. The Rams have not really shown a great deal in attack, but they did improve following a bland opening quarter and will surely only get better after the restart.
The first chance of the match fell the way of Lloyd Dyer, who profited from Chris O'Grady's closing down on Cyrus Christie and blasted a shot on goal for Scott Carson to push aside. The goal arrived just two minutes later when a fine Lucas Akins cross from the right was met perfectly by Jackson Irvine for his third headed goal in the same number of league games.
Derby did marginally improve following a slow start to the match, with their first shot arriving 26 minutes in through a long-range Jacob Butterfield drive, which Jon McLaughlin routinely kept out down the middle. O'Grady did well shortly after the half-hour mark to turn on the edge of the box and get a shot away despite losing his balance, but his effort lacked the power needed to beat Carson.
Chris Martin was an isolated figure for the majority of the first half, although the Derby forward did muster a shot shortly before the interval after working a yard of space but falling to beat Akins in front of the opposition goal. That proved to be it in terms of the first-half talking points, with plenty more expected following the restart.
Nigel Clough will be the happier of the two managers at the midway point, as the Burton boss looks to see out the remainder of this match to get one over on his former suitors. Will he, or indeed opposite number Nigel Pearson, turn to the bench at half time?
BURTON ALBION SUBS: Bywater, Williamson, Beavon, McCrory, Choudhury, Harness, Barker
DERBY COUNTY SUBS: Grant, Bent, Baird, Wilson, Pearce, Camara, Blackman
RESTART! We are back under way at the Pirelli Stadium, where a change has indeed been made at the break. Abdoul Camara has been brought on out wide in place of the disappointing Tom Ince. Will he be able to make the difference?
Derby getting forward well in the early stages of this second half down both flanks. The ball falls for substitute Camara at the back post, but he cannot get his shot on target from what has to go down as half a chance.
SAVE! Camara has already made a far bigger difference on this game than the man he replaced. The former Angers winger cuts inside and this time does get a shot on target, which McLaughlin keeps out routinely enough to keep his side's lead intact.
BURTON ALBION SUB! Nigel Clough forced into action early in this second half, as he takes off Will Miller - who has had just one training session with his new teammates, remember - and brings on Harness in the same No.10 position.
Darren Bent now warming up for Derby, and indeed stripping down, as Pearson looks to make his second change before the hour mark. The Rams looking the better side so far in this half, but have only marginally stepped things up following the restart.
DERBY COUNTY SUBS! Darren Bent and James Wilson have been turned to, so all three County subs now made. Chris Martin and Butterfield the men to make way. Credit to Pearson for turning to his back-up players - just not working for his men at the moment.
SHOT! Harness gets on the end of a knockdown inside the box and gets a tame effort on goal for Carson to collect. Burton wrestling back control of the game now following those stoppages in play over the past 10 minutes or so.
McLaughlin has to be alert to push away Bryson's shot-cross from the left. The Rams certainly looking to step things up now as we enter the final third of the match. The only goal of the game so far came early on through Jackson Irvine's swooping header.
Christie sends in a decent-enough cross from a free kick, which just about sails over the heads of his teammates inside the box. Burton have completely taken the sting out of the contest, which will not please Pearson who has now used all his subs.
Derby seeing the vast majority of the ball - nearly 70% of it to be precise - but they are barely creating any openings. A cross towards Bent looked to cause danger, but the offside flag was correctly raised on the far side.
SHOT! Camara has without question been Derby's best player this evening - and he's only been on the field for 20 minutes! The Guinea international again goes direct to work some space in the box and sends a curled shot on goal which McLaughlin keeps out.
Clough must surely be tempted to make another of his changes around about now, as Burton just look to see out the remaining 22 minutes or so of this game. This really would be a massive result for the Brewers; a result that will take them two points above their neighbours in the league table.
Not a great deal happening at the moment, which will obviously suit the hosts more so than their trailing opponents. Scoring goals, and creating chances, clearly proving to be a problem for County this term - even with so many attacking players now on the field.
Great work by O'Grady - a player who works his heart out for his side - as he earns a free kick for his side to eat up some more minutes. Pearson has done all he can by making the three changes, but there is no sign of a goal for the visitors.
Burton not willing to sit back and soak up the pressure, which is proving to be the best choice at the moment. Derby having to focus a lot on defending, and when the ball does finally get worked up the other end they are lacking ideas.
It has not been the most entertaining of games in terms of clear-cut chances, but it is certainly gripping enough as Burton now have just 14 minutes left to see out. It may only be three points, though these will be three of the biggest points in the club's proud history.
Clough still with two changes available to him, remember, which he may be planning on using in the final 10 minutes to break up play. No need for alterations at the moment - his side are so comfortable at this stage.
YELLOW CARD! The first booking of this local derby is shown to Bryson following a challenge on Naylor in midfield. A sight of goal for Derby moments later, only for McFadzean to dive in the way of a shot on goal.
Akins flashes a shot across Carson's goal, showing that Albion are still not planning to sit back and see through the game in a defensive manner. That seems to be the right tactic to take, as the visitors are completely devoid of attacking ideas.
Olsson adjusts his body well to send a cross towards the back post, but Russell fails to connect properly with the ball and he can neither shoot nor put it back into the mix. A record attendance here tonight - 6,747 the official figure given.
Will Hughes, perhaps a little frustrated, goes for power rather than precision and sends his shot high over the bar. It has simply not been Derby's night; Burton remaining strong throughout and never truly looking like conceding.
BURTON ALBION SUB! Williamson is on for Naylor with two minutes left to play at the Pirelli Stadium. Derby knocking the ball around with more urgency now, but still unable to create any chance of note.
YELLOW CARD! Ben Turner is shown a yellow for a late challenge. Burton come close to bagging a second through substitute Harness, but he just could not quite divert the ball past Carson when picked out from the right.
DERBY COUNTY SUBS! Four years after playing his last competitive game, ironically enough for Derby, Shaun Barker is brought on for the final seconds here. Palmer the man to make way, as Derby's final set piece is cleared away. That should be that.
FULL TIME: BURTON ALBION 1-0 DERBY COUNTY
Burton Albion comfortably see out the remaining seconds of the match to earn arguably their most famous ever league victory. Jackson Irvine proved to be the matchwinner, swooping to head home 13 minutes in for his third goal in the same number of Championship outings, against an abject and hugely underwhelming Derby County side.
Well that concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at the Pirelli Stadium, but be sure to check out this on-the-whistle report before heading off. We will be back tomorrow for updates across the Premier League, starting with Tottenham Hotspur against Liverpool, so be sure to join us then.
