It was Johnny Russell's header from the corner but the ball went into the net via Forest striker Nicklas Bendtner.

There wasn't a lot the Forest striker could do about it. Very unfortunate.

The Reds have to open up a bit more now.

Image source, Rex Features

The Forest corner leads to nothing. There's no doubting the commitment, but it's really not had a great deal of quality so far. If Forest were looking to contain, they have done a fine job so far.

Was that a shot on target?

But Mustapha Carayol's effort is blocked and we have a Forest corner.

Image source, Rex Features

Is this praise for Nottingham Forest boss Mr Montanier from BBC Radio Derby's Owen Bradley?

The Frenchman does seem to have the edge on Steve McClaren in the style stakes.

Not much class on the pitch so far though.

Marcus Olsson - a matchwinner for the Rams in this fixture last season - does well down the left but cannot pick out anyone in the middle.

Derby then threaten from a free-kick but the Reds clear their lines.

Will Hughes and Bradley Johnson are looking to take charge in the midfield for Derby, but Forest have settled and the game is pretty evenly matched now.

Image source, Rex Features

Is that worth a shout for a penalty for Derby?

Darren Bent slides in to try to get on the end of a cross from the right and looks around claiming a slight nudge. Very hopeful.

All I want for Christmas is a shot on goal... 

It looked likes Forest's Damien Perquis and Derby's Darren Bent were also cautioned in the Osborn-Johnson tussle. No chances but plenty of passion already.

Image source, Rex Features

Colin Fray
BBC Radio Nottingham Sport

Philippe Montanier is in danger of losing his cool on the sideline, that tells you how upset he is. He is usually calm and unflappable. 

Montanier was gesturing to the fourth official that he saw a stamp from Bradley Johnson."

Postpublished at 9 mins

9 mins

Derby 0-0 Nottingham Forest

The first flare up. Bradley Johnson not happy with a tackle by Ben Osborn and they have a bit of a to do. Both are cautioned.

Forest's Osborn is punished for the late tackle and the Derby man is yellow-carded for his reaction.

Not a sniff of a chance yet. Tom Ince just lined up a volley for Derby that would have been a goal of the season contender but came nowhere near connecting properly.

Is this six in a row for Derby and a spot in the play-offs at the end of the day? Or will Nottingham Forest continue their own handy run with what would be a particularly sweet result at Pride Park?

How do you see this one going?

Nothing comes of the Rams set-piece though.

Nothing of significance so far. But Derby have a free-kick 40 yards from goal so can launch it into the box...

Off we go. The result is tricky to predict, but it WILL be frantic. That's guaranteed.

We are just moments from kick-off. The teams are out and almost ready, minus Henri Lansbury, the Forest skipper pulling out at short notice with a hamstring injury.

Yep, you got it. Former Derby defender Paul Williams, who was in charge of Forest last season.

Mr Montanier this season of course, and before Williams – in order – we hadStuart Pearce, ex-Rams boss Billy Davies, Alex McLeish and Steve Cotterill.

Image source, .

Continuity is hardly a word that could be used around either of these two clubs. But Forest just about edge things on the chopping-and-changing front.

The Reds have travelled down the A52 to face their biggest rivals with a different manager in charge for the sixth successive season.

Two have a Derby connection. The pic is a giveaway for one. Who’s the other?

It will be Nottingham Forest boss Philippe Montanier's first experience of the East Midlands derby, but the Frenchman seems to have really embraced the occasion and its importance to all involved.