CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE

DERBY County drew first blood at Ewood Park last night but finished the game empty-handed as Blackburn Rovers came from behind to win 2-1.

The Rams were looking to pick up precious points in their bid to move away from the Championship relegation zone and they were on the front foot after Tom Lawrence headed them into a 22nd-minute lead.

However, that goal was cancelled out by Blackburn’s Sam Gallagher three minutes before the break.

And Wayne Rooney’s men fell behind in the 66th minute when Harvey Elliott went past a couple of Rams defenders before unleashing a left-footed drive from just outside the box.

The shot was too powerful for Rams keeper David Marshall, who got a hand to the strike but couldn’t keep it out.

Rams right-back Nathan Byrne hit a post as the visitors looked for a leveller but defeat means they remain one place above the bottom three.

Derby made three changes to the side that lost to leaders Norwich City.

In came fit-again defenders Matt Clarke and Nathan Byrne, and also Louie Sibley. Out went Kornell McDonald, Teden Mengi – who is injured – and striker Colin KazimRichards, who was on the bench.

Derby were again without the injured Martyn Waghorn, Lee Gregory, George Edmundson and Jack Stretton, while Beni Baningime, the midfielder on loan from Everton, is also injured.

It was again a young Rams substitutes’ bench featuring Conor Dixon for the first time, Festy Ebosele, Louie Watson, Jordan Brown and Lee Buchanan.

The Rams went into the contest having won only once of their previous 10 games and they had managed to score only six goals in those matches.

Rovers’ form was also poor – only one win in 15 games and they were without a win in seven. Tony Mowbray’s team had not won at Ewood Park since January, although they beat Derby 4-0 at Pride Park Stadium in September.

Former Rams midfielder Bradley

Johnson scored twice in that game and he started for Rovers, his 600th club career appearance.

Rovers were without defender Darragh Lenihan, who has a groin strain, and Everton loanee Jarrad Branthwaite stepped in to partner Taylor Harwood-Bellis at centreback. Tom Trybull missed out and Lewis Holtby returned to the midfield.

With no recognised striker, Derby went with Tom Lawrence up front supported by Sibley, with Patrick Roberts on the right and Kamil Jozwiak on the left.

Rovers threatened first when Harvey Elliott curled a shot over before Adam Armstrong’s free kick was beaten away by David Marshall. It was a good height for the goalkeeper but an important stop so early in the game and Derby capitalised by taking the lead after 21 minutes.

Graeme Shinnie whipped in a cross from the left and clever movement by Lawrence presented the space for him to bury a header past Thomas Kaminski.

The goal gave Derby a lift and they took the game to their hosts.

Shinnie’s low drive was gathered by Kaminski and there was a yellow card for Holtby for a rash challenge on the Rams player. Lawrence put the free kick over but Derby almost doubled their lead when neat buildup play gave Roberts a chance and his effort fizzed narrowly wide.

Derby had a grip on the game but conceded an equaliser three minutes before half-time.

Barry Douglas sent in a corner and Gallagher, unmarked, headed wide of Marshall. It was awful defensively by Derby and all their hard work of the opening 45 minutes had been undone by sloppy marking.

Sibley’s low cross-shot was tipped round a post by Kaminski as Derby looked to respond but Clarke collected a yellow card just before the break for a foul on Armstrong.

Seven minutes into the second half, Marshall had to make a good save with his legs to deny Armstrong