Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the East Midlands derby meeting between Derby County and Nottingham Forest at the iPro Stadium.

The form of these two rivals could not be more contrasting coming into this fixture; Forest without a win since November, while the hosts have won their last five in all competitions. Anything other than a loss this afternoon will see Derby claim top spot in the Championship for a few hours at least, although the Reds will no doubt be keen to stop that from happening.

Kickoff is less than 30 minutes away now, so let's take a look at how these two sides line up...

Starting with the hosts, then, and Steve McClaren has opted to make three changes to his side for this afternoon's local derby. Omar Mascarell, Craig Bryson and Jamie Ward have all been brought back into the fold, while Darren Bent must wait a little longer to make his Rams debut as he is named as part of the subs.

John Eustace misses out through suspension, meanwhile, with in-form striker 15-goal top scorer Chris Martin tasked with leading the line for Derby. Will Hughes played a big part from a deeper position in midfield against Ipswich Town last weekend, and he is once more among the starters here today.

Stuart Pearce, too, has made three alterations to his starting lineup as his side go in search of a much-needed win at the iPro Stadium. Kelvin Wilson, Gary Gardner and Henri Lansbury have all been handed starting roles, meaning that Jamaal Lascelles, David Vaughan and Chris Burke drop out.

So as already touched on, Aston Villa outcast Bent will begin this clash among the substitutes once more, although he certainly provides a more than adequate option from the bench should be called upon. In terms of the visitors, Burke could offer some width as the game draws on, while Wales international David Vaughan will be looking to make an impression in his final month on loan with the Reds.

Well Derby come into this game high on confidence following last weekend's huge victory over Ipswich, claiming all three points at Portman Road to climb into the automatic promotion zone. They will now be looking to stay there, of course, but if they are to do so they will have to see off their arch-rivals at the iPro this afternoon. Five-successive victories in all competitions suggests that they will do so, particularly against an out-of-sorts Forest outfit.

The Rams have well and truly pushed on under McClaren following last season's playoff final defeat, although you feel that anything less than a top-two finish will be somewhat disappointing due to their impressive showings so far. They boast the division's second best attack behind league leaders Bournemouth, thanks in no small part to the goals of Martin who is already on 15 for the season.

Kickoff is now just 10 minutes away in the East Midlands, as both sets of players finish their pre-match warm-ups.

In terms of the visitors, things could not be more different. A dire run of form has seen the Reds fall well off the place in the league, leaving manager Stuart Pearce reportedly fighting for his job. Defeat here today, you feel, could spell the end of his time in charge at the City Ground.

All-in-all Forest have failed to win in any of their last eight games, losing five of those games. In fact, their last victory came way back in November when they saw off Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0. A run of games against Bolton Wanderers, Millwall, Wigan and Blackburn before the end of February suggests that there is still time to turn things around, but the club must stop the rot immediately.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS: Well in this fixture last season Derby recorded their biggest win over their rivals since 1898, claiming a 5-0 triumph to truly humiliate Forest. These two sides played out a 1-1 draw earlier this season, although things were a little different back then. Derby were 10th in the league table and Forest top; Derby now hold a 17-point advantage over their opponents.

DID YOU KNOW? The Reds 'boast' just seven goalscorers all season, which is the lowest spread in the division. They come up against a Derby side who certainly know how to find the net as well as shutting out the opposition, claiming 23 clean sheets this term.

KICKOFF! All the pre-match talk is now over, and it's time for the two sides to do battle. Derby get things underway, looking to attack their opponents from the off.

Russell goes on a fine surging run through the middle, running straight at a back-peddling Forest defence, although Ward couldn't quite take his teammate's pass into his path.

Derby have seen more of the ball in these early stages, although that Russell run aside they have not done a great deal to test the Forest backline. The Reds are starting to get a hold of the ball now as the atmosphere increases another notch or two.

PENALTY SHOUT! Assombalonga's flick-on allows Tesche to run in behind and swing in a cross which is cleared behind for a corner. The subsequent set piece looked to be heading towards Antonio who was situated at the back post, but he was clearly dragged down by Buxton. Referee Andrew Madley clearly felt otherwise, however, waving play on.

Omar Mascarell opts to get a shot away from all of 25 yards out, although his effort failed to test De Vries between the sticks. It's been a lively start to the contest, as you would expect in a derby clash, and it has so far been nice and balanced as both sides look to make their mark.

SHOT! Forest currently edge the possession stakes 51%-49%, which goes to show just how little is in this one. Antonio curled in Forest's first shot on the afternoon a few moments ago, firing over the bar on the turn.

Some great centre-forward play from Martin sees the Rams' top scorer lay the ball off for Bryson inside the area, although his goalbound effort was well blocked in the end. Still little between the sides, but we have an entertaining clash on our hands if the opening 13 minutes or so are anything to go by.

Bryson gets another shot away, this time form 25 yards out, although his dragged effort ended well wide in the end.

It's a cruel blow for Forest, who fall a goal behind courtesy of Henri Lansbury's rather comical own goal. Keogh appeared to get a touch on Russell's corner and the former Arsenal man could not adjust himself in time, with the ball striking his face and going into the net at the front post. When you're out of luck...

SAVE! Derby have upped the pressure a little more since going ahead, winning a couple of corners which have ultimately come to nothing. De Vries had to be at full stretch to keep out Ward's deflected effort from range, though, which was heading into the top corner if not for the stopper's intervention.

YELLOW CARD! Ward becomes the first player to enter the referee's book for a silly trip on De Vries. Needless.

Forest started the game well, but since going behind Derby have really taken control of things. It could be a long afternoon for Pearce's men, who are just looking to form a solid shape and soak up some pressure.

Some bad news for Derby supporters as Hughes' afternoon appears to be over. He's limping along at the moment, meaning that a substitution may be required.

Russell shows pace and strength to burst into the opposition box, but Lichaj produces a well-timed challenge to halt the forward's run. Derby the side who are continuing to ask all the questions.

YELLOW CARD! Wilson puts an arm across the face of Martin to hold back the striker's run, leading to the game's second booking. I get the feeling that we will be seeing a fair few more cautions between now and full time.

Incidentally, Hughes appears to have shaken off that knock I mentioned a few minutes ago so he should be fine to continue.

Buxton again has his hands all over Antonio inside the area, and once more that could very well have lead to a penalty. The appeals were not as strong as they were earlier, but Forest will feel hard done-by nonetheless.

Antonio produces a decent individual run which culminates in him losing the ball inside the opposition box. He really should be getting his head up and picking out a teammate when getting into these positions, rather than looking to do things on his own.

YELLOW CARD! Gary Gardner becomes the latest to pick up a yellow following his late challenge on Bryson.

I was just about to praise Forest for the way they have bounced back in the last 10 minutes or so to take the game to their opponents, then Lansbury plays a poor pass which almost leads to a second Rams goal. Russell was unable to make the most of the counter-attack, though, with play soon breaking down high up the field.

Not much in the way of goalmouth action of late, with that Lansbury own goal still enough to separate the two sides as we approach half time. Hobbs made a mess of a cross into the box a few moments ago which seemed simple enough to deal with, but thankfully for him there was no opposition player around to pounce on the error. That's not the first time the Reds have struggled at the back this afternoon.

SHOT! A great first touch from Hughes on the edge of the box allows the English youngster to curl an attempt on goal, although the ball didn't quite have enough swerve on it, ending a few inches wide of the target. Good effort.

Just half a chance for Forest in the dying stages of the opening 45 minutes, as Antonio knocks a first-time pass back across goal on the volley, although Buxton got to it ahead of a red shirt to clear away the ball.

SHOT! Highlighting just how tight this game is, Assomabalonga fires away an audacious effort with the outside of his boot from range, which ends just a few inches over the bar. Good end to the half from both sides.

Referee Andrew Madley brings the first half to a close with that Henri Lansbury own goal after 16 minutes the difference between the two sides at the break.

Forest began well and perhaps should have had a penalty when Buxton brought down Antonio, but the referee waved on appeals to the dismay of Stuart Pearce. After edging ahead shortly after Derby took control for the next 10 minutes or so, although since then it has been a balanced affair which could still go either way.

A reminder that as things stand Derby will top the table ahead of the remainder of Championship fixtures later today. Forest, meanwhile, are staring another defeat right in the face as their slide down the table looks set to continue.

Match action: Johnny Russell leads the Derby celebrations after his corner was turned in for the game's only goal thus far.

The teams are now back out onto the field, with kickoff just a minute or so away. Forest are by no means out of this contest, showing in the first half that they have more than what it takes to draw level in this second period.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Forest gets things back underway at the iPro Stadium, and there is news of a change to bring you following the interval. Jeff Hendrick has been introduced for Hughes, who was clearly still felling the effects from an early knock picked up.

It's been a fairly slow start to the second half as both sides look to find their rhythm again. It will be interesting to see how Derby approach the next 43 minutes or so - do they sit back or continue to push for a second?

Still not a lot to report back in terms of any attacking moves following the restart. It's been really scrappy so far, which you have to say will probably suit the visitors a little more.

SHOT! It took seven minutes but we've seen the first real piece of action of this second period, as Christie unleashes a shot from long range. It was not the sweetest of efforts, although it had De Vries looking a little nervous as the ball flew wide of the right post.

Derby have lost just one game at their iPro home this campaign, incidentally, proving just what a tough task Forest face if they are to turn this one around. A draw would be a promising result, of course, although that would not be enough to stop their rivals from topping the league table.

CHANCE! A good spell of pressure from the Reds culminates in Antonio squandering a decent opening for his side. Tesche's shoot was initially blocked behind for a corner, from which Derby failed to clear. The ball fell nicely for Forest's liveliest player in the centre of the box with Lee Grant nowhere to be found, but Buxton produced a fine block to deny the midfielder's shot.

There is no doubt that this is the visiting side's best spell of the contest, as they knock on the door for an equaliser. Tesche managed to latch onto a loose ball inside the opposition box, but his effort lacked the power and precision required to test Grant. Stuart Pearce will be far happier with what he has seen over the last five minutes.

It's still Forest who are on top as we enter the final half-hour of the match, looking to push forward in order to rescue something from this game. Derby soaking up the pressure at the moment, knowing that as things stand they will top the division for a couple of hours at the very least.

Derby supporters are urging their side on, perhaps a little frustrated by what they have seen in the last 15 minutes. The hosts have not got going at all since the restart and they have been very much second best.

Osborn's cross from the right evades Antonio who was charging in at the back post. Up the other end Ward created a bit of space on the edge of the box, but he fired over his effort which was always rising. Still 1-0 to Derby with less than 25 minutes to go in the East Midlands.

Forest players and fans appeal for another pen when Osborn's strike appeared to hit the hand of Forsyth inside the area, but replays showed that the ball in fact hit the defender in the midriff. Good decision from referee Andrew Madley.

McClaren must surely be considering another change because Forest really are knocking on the door now. They have taken control of this second half, ultimately failing to make the most of their possession.

CHANCE! Forest get in their first shot on goal in over an hour of action as Wilson tests Grant down low. Derby failed to clear a corner which caused a lot of panic in the box, although the Reds' defender failed to make the desired contact with the ball.

I mentioned a little earlier how Derby boast the third best defensive record in the division, but they have looked terrible at the back on occasions this afternoon. Once more they failed to deal with a simple cross into the box and the one man they didn't want to ball to fall to in Britt Asombalonga fired home on the turn from close range.

DERBY COUNTY SUB: McClaren makes an instant change, introducing Bent for his Derby debut in place of Ward.

That goal is the least that Nottingham Forest deserve for their efforts in this second half, because they have well and truly dominated proceedings. Derby have been punished for sitting back and they now have just 10 minutes to regain their lead.

Lansbury launches a hopeful ball forward for Assombalonga to chase down, but Grant read the danger well to race out and head clear

NOTTINGHAM FOREST SUB: McLaughlin is brought on in place of Antonio for the final eight minutes at the iPro Stadium.

Derby have managed to wrestle back more of the possession since conceding, although they have been restricted in terms of clear-cut chances due to some solid defending from the visitors.

The tempo has died down somewhat in the past few minutes as we edge closer to full time. A point is enough for Derby to go top of the table, although they will certainly see this as two points dropped.

Could we see a late twist at the iPro? It certainly doesn't look like that will be the case with chances few and far between now. Martin had a rare sight on goal just a few moments ago, but he was unable to keep his effort down on the stretch.

Forest supporters are understandably in good voice, offering their backing to under-fire manager Stuart Pearce. This point could be the turning point in their season... should they see out the final few minutes.

They can do more than hold on - Forest have surely won it at the death! Incredible scenes in the away end as Nottingham-born Ben Osborn fires the ball beyond Grant to send the travelling fans into absolute raptures. It came about following some sloppy play from Derby - yet again - with the youngster driving forward and trying his luck. It was a clean strike, but Grant really should be doing better to keep that out.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST SUB: Lascelles comes on for Tesche as we enter the final minute. Time is certainly against Derby now, who are staring a rare home defeat right in the face.

What an end to a game which looked to be heading just one way at half time. Derby found themselves ahead at the break and in relative control, although you sensed that Forest could still take something away from the game if they dug in deep. They did just that, scoring twice in the second 45 minutes to turn the game around and take all three points.

Well that's all from me for now, but be sure to stick around as we bring you live text coverage of Ipswich Town's trip to Millwall. Thanks for joining!