Derby County 1-0 Burton Albion

Johnny Russell's winner against Burton was his third goal of the season

Substitute Johnny Russell scored a late winner as Derby consolidated their position in the Championship play-off places with victory over Burton.

Russell volleyed in from 12 yards nine minutes from time to earn the Rams all three points.

Burton, who slipped to the bottom of the table, had frustrated their hosts with a determined rearguard action.

Before the winner, they went closest to scoring when Andi Weimann cleared Ben Turner's header off the line.

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Derby, beaten at home by Ipswich in midweek, dominated in terms of possession and efforts on goal but had been unable to find a breakthrough until Russell struck the Rams' first goal in meetings with Albion.

After surviving some early Derby pressure, Burton responded when Matt Palmer forced a save out of home keeper Scott Carson.

But the Brewers had Stephen Bywater to thank for keeping them on level terms, the veteran goalkeeper tipping over Chris Martin's curling effort before scrambling to keep the ball out when defender Turner deflected Tom Lawrence's cross towards his own net.

Lawrence and Weimann then forced routine saves out of Bywater after the break before Russell climbed off the bench to score on the rebound after Martin's shot had been saved.

Derby manager Gary Rowett:

"The lads had a bit of a carrot of time off after this game if we'd won so maybe they were a bit nervous about that.

"The deal I struck was they would be off until Wednesday if they win the game but if they lost they would have been in tomorrow, as simple as that.

"It was just about enough motivation in the end but I thought Burton to their credit worked incredibly hard."

Burton manager Nigel Clough:

"You can't legislate for a mistake in the 81st minute. He (Palmer) is a young player but it was just a very poor decision, you don't take two touches in your own penalty area.

"But that's the learning process for young players, that's why a lot of managers don't play young players.

"They do make mistakes unfortunately, that's how they learn, but if you don't put them out there they don't improve."