Nott'm Forest 1-2 Derby
- Published
Jeff Hendrick was the hero for 10-man Derby as the Rams defeated Nottingham Forest in a feisty East Midlands derby.
The 19-year-old made up for his earlier missed header from two yards by coolly slotting home from outside the area.
Forest's Andy Reid put the home side ahead from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Frank Fielding was dismissed in the opening five minutes.
But Jamie Ward's wonderful solo effort before half-time and Hendrick's winner sealed the win for the away side.
The result increased the pressure on Forest manager Steve McClaren, who is still seeking his first home win since taking over at the City Ground.
Referee Scott Mathieson had little choice but to send off England Under-21 keeper Fielding for his rash challenge on Ishmael Miller.
Adam Legzdins came on in goal in place of the unlucky Tomasz Cywka and was sent the wrong way from the spot by Reid, who netted his first goal since rejoining Forest in the summer.
The manner of Derby's equaliser in the 29th minute was just as dramatic when the Rams attacked with Forest full-back Chris Cohen injured on the ground following an innocuous-looking clash with Mark O'Brien.
With the home fans calling for play to stop, Ward evaded a challenge from Radoslaw Majewski to reach the byeline, where he knocked the ball around Wes Morgan and collected it on the other side of the defender before squeezing a low shot past Lee Camp from an acute angle.
McClaren's men started the second half brightly. Reid twice went close, once with a free-kick from the edge of the box, and Miller forced Legzdins to smother a low shot before the hour.
But it was Derby who should have taken the lead when Ben Davies' pinpoint cross from the right was met at the far post by the unmarked Hendrick, who somehow headed wide.
Hendrick then made amends for his earlier miss when he blasted home the winning goal after Forest failed to clear a corner. The ball broke to the teenager who fired a right-footed shot into the bottom of the net from 25 yards.
Forest mounted a late surge but Derby held firm for an impressive victory.