Jamie Ward's goal has handed Derby County a 1-0 half-time lead over relegated Premier League side Fulham at the iPro Stadium in the Championship this afternoon.

County's Johnny Russell was first to threaten when he was found in space by Cyrus Christie's cross, only to send his shot just inches over the crossbar.

Christie might have put his side in front 10 minutes later had he not struck his shot straight at the keeper from the centre of the Fulham box.

In a half predominantly dominated by the hosts, Derby took the lead in the 23rd minute after Ward finished neatly into the top corner having been found by Russell's cross.

Fulham failed to create much of real note, but Konstantinos Stafylidis might have done a little better from the edge of the box as he slashed wide of goal despite having time on the ball.