Rams enjoy the joy of six

goalkeeper Scott Carson for keeping it 0-0 on 29 minutes when he got down low to his left to tip away Callum Robinson’s effort.

Preston were much the better side for the opening half an hour and were unlucky to find themselves behind to Derby’s first real attack.

A swift break saw David Nugent slide a delightful ball across for Mount, who showed great composure to cut inside the defender and fire home, although his scuffed shot should perhaps have been saved by Declan Rudd.

The goal seemed to spark the hosts into life and Mason Bennett came close to adding a second five minutes after the restart and Craig Bryson also went close before Keogh (inset) headed home Mason’s corner to put the game beyond doubt 12 minutes from time.

The result was hard for Preston boss Alex Neil to take. He said: “The first goal came when we were on top and it came from a promising attack. It really deflated us because at the moment we are struggling to score goals.

“We have a very young side and we need to learn quickly. If we are to reach the heights we reached last year we need to turn potential into quality.

“Football is relentless, you can’t feel sorry for yourselves. We have been in every game so far this season, we are just lacking a little bit of experience in both boxes.”