Derby County 1 Forest 0

NOTTINGHAM Forest's 19-match unbeaten run was brought to a grinding halt, as a goal from Rob Hulse earned Derby County a 1-0 win in a scrappy, hard fought East Midlands derby at Pride Park.

Hulse struck in the 78th minute to earn Nigel Clough's side a precious three points and deal a blow to Reds boss Billy Davies on his first return to his former club.

Forest spurned enough chances to have won the game themselves in the second half, with Dexter Blackstock and Paul Anderson spurning the best of the opportunities.

But generally, Davies' side found it hard to break down the Rams, who refused to allow Forest to play the kind of football that had seen them surge to second place in the Championship table.

There was a cagey start, as both sides prodded and probed in search of an opening – but it was Forest who twice initially threatened.

A far post header from Wes Morgan, from a Chris Cohen corner, was only half cleared by Stephen Bywater and Robert Earnshaw sent a crisp, rising shot goalwards, which Rob Hulse headed clear off the line.

Stephen Pearson came close for Derby with an instant shot that flew narrowly wide following an inswinging corner from Kris Commons.

While Morgan sent a firm, downwards header the wrong side of the post after connecting with a Cohen free-kick delivery.

Lee Camp had to produce the first meaningful save of the game, stretching desperately to palm over as Jake Buxton sent a looping header dipping towards goal following another accurate delivery from Commons.

Commons' ability from set-pieces was proving key for the home side, with Shaun Barker sending another header goalwards, which was this time scrambled clear off the line amid a melee of players.

Forest, in terms of attacking threat, got worse as the half went on, as the game became a scrappy, direct affair in which neither side could retain meaningful possession.

A remarkable run from Majewski finally provided some menace for Forest after the restart but, after he had skipped past two challenges wide on the left, Paul Anderson could not properly connect with his dangerous cut-back.

Rob Hulse had been booked in the first half for a clumsy challenge on Perch and Pearson followed him into the book after the break for a late challenge on Chris Gunter, while Majewski was carded after kicking the ball away.

Forest, at this stage, finally seemed to be getting into their stride and, when Gunter burst down the left, Blackstock seemed certain to score, only for Bywater to save his header and then react quickly to push an Anderson effort around the post from the rebound.

Another run and cross from Majewski had the Derby defence split again, only for Blackstock to fail to connect at the near post, although there was a suspicion of hand-ball as McEveley slid in to block Anderson's subsequent drive.

Two further Derby players were booked in quick succession, Commons for dissent and Nicky Hunt for bringing down Cohen, while, with the game getting increasingly physical, Forest replaced Earnshaw with Dele Adebola off the bench.

Forest were to pay the price for missing their chances as Derby powered into the lead in the 78th minute.

A foul by Perch on the left gave Commons the chance to bend another cross in, this time to pick out Hulse, who flicked a simple header into the back of the net from close range.

After the goal, it was Derby who looked the more likely to net again, as the home side shut up shop at the back.

And the only real flashpoint came as a host of players from both sides became involved in an ugly melee on the touchline, as McEveley refused to return the ball when Forest had been awarded a throw in.