Colin Kazim-Richards is warming up for Derby. He's certainly more of a focal point for the Rams to hit up top.

Meanwhile, Onel Hernandez gets in behind, holds up for Blues, and slips it back to Gary Gardner, but his shot sears well wide.

Ryan Allsop must have cold blood because three or four times he has taken chances with Birmingham forwards in dangerous areas.

He lures them in before getting the ball away. Just. Heart in mouth stuff.

Derby are probing the Birmingham box again, made more difficult by the fact that the visitors have swamped their own box with blue shirts.

In the end, Jason Knight gets a yard down the left but his cross deflects harmlessly to goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

We told you about the Derby fans marching through the city in support of their under-threat club before kick-off this afternoon.

You can read more about it here.

Image source, PA Media

Bit of early pressure for Birmingham here, Teden Mengi with a couple of clearances.

Then Max Bird bundles his way into the box, a fierce cross is beaten behind by Blues goalkeeper Neil Etheridge for a corner.

Etheridge claims the set-piece, but lands awkwardly as he comes down.

Gary Gardner seemed to point the finger at Craig Forsyth, and John Brooks has awarded a free-kick to the visitors.

Will Copson: Derby don’t look up to it today. Very loud as per usual from Derby fans though.

It will be interesting to see what difference Wayne Rooney's half-time teamtalk makes.

Festy Ebosele can't quite bring a team-mate into play in the Birmingham box, as Derby attack early in the half.

Blues break, but lose possession. There's definitely a bit of bite about Derby already.

Kristian Pedersen has whacked a clearance into the stands to avoid further pressure.

Right, team-talks done.

We're off. Derby up and at it.

Quick public service announcement. Our colleagues at BBC Wales will have live coverage of Cardiff versus Forest later.

Sorry to mention that, for those of a Rams persuasion.

Image source, Getty Images

Last night we brought the sad news that a Fulham fan, who had been admitted to hospital after a medical emergency, had died following a cardiac arrest.

The club identified the supporter as Paul Parish.

"It is with immense sadness that we inform fans of the passing of supporter Paul Parish," Fulham said in a statement. "Our condolences go out to Paul's loved ones."

We offer our condolences too.

The reunion of Lyle Taylor and Lee Bowyer at Birmingham shows no signs of having been soured by the factors behind their parting while at Charlton.

Taylor has looked bang up for it, chasing down defenders, mixing up his runs and most important, stroking in the calmest of finishes for the only goal so far.

Derby's midfield of Jason Knight, Liam Thompson and Max Bird struggled to match the Blues mob of Juninho Bacuna, Gary Gardner and the holding presence of Ryan Woods.

They also struggled to make the ball stick up top, but having the pace outlet of Festy Ebosele just means they've got a different option.

Tom Lawrence needs to get on the ball more too, credit to Blues though, they've set-up really smartly.

Jamie Ward
Former Derby forward on BBC Radio Derby

Derby just haven't found their rhythm yet.

Ian Clarkson
Ex-Birmingham captain on BBC Radio WM

Fantastic performance from Birmingham. The new signings have been positive, it was a great finish from Lyle Taylor and they've played some good football and should be 2-0 up.

Expect some Derby pressure in the second half and it will depend on how Birmingham defend.

Image source, Rex Features

Lyle Taylor's debut goal is the difference at Pride Park, where Birmingham have brilliantly subdued the mood for a Derby County side hoping to reward their fans' huge support.

Lee Bowyer's side were tactically sound, scoring early and then dominating possession and territory.

Scott Hogan might have made it two but was denied by Ryan Allsop.

Derby showed signs of life towards the back end of the half, and the enforced substitution of Festy Ebosele for the injured Kamil Jozwiak might just be the catalyst they needed.

Glimmer of a chance for Derby as Festy Ebosele chases down Marc Roberts and forces a hurried clearance.

Tom Lawrence latches onto it, with Neil Etheridge just of position but Teden Mengi blocks.

Great play by Ebosele then darts to the byline and pings in a cross which is headed behind desperately.

Rams finishing strong...

Derby full-back Craig Forsyth clears a swinging Kristian Pedersen delivery behind, taking no chances.

Blues can't get a head on the cross, and Onel Hernandez's attempt to sweep it in from the opposite flank again sails over the attackers.

Derby can clear. Though Forsyth shanks it into the stands and his frustrated turn away and roar tells its own story.

That's added time.

Image source, PA Media

Curtis Davies takes to the air for a tight-spaces overhead kick in the Birmingham box, but his shot is blocked at close range.

Blues get the ball clear, Onel Hernandez hits the accelerator but Festy Ebosele is turbo-charged, racing back to make the challenge.

That lifts the Derby crowd. Ebosele is rapid.

Great save by Ryan Allsop, and a really important one.

Onel Hernandez forces a Derby clearance which breaks perfectly for Scott Hogan, and the Blues striker bears down on goal.

Allsop narrows the angle, and Hogan can only strike his shot against the keeper who turns it away.

Two might just have broken the back of this game.

Ted Scott: The Derby players and fans don’t look up to the task at the moment.

As it stands, Wayne Rooney has some work to do at the break.