In the 14th minute North End were almost put into the lead courtesy of a Derby own goal. Graham Alexander won a free-kick midway into the Derby half following a clumsy challenge from Steve Howard. And the big striker got back to defend the free-kick only to head the ball past his own keeper and just wide of the post for a corner.

Preston had a strong penalty claim turned down in the 16th minute when Tommy Miller's volley in the box looked to have been handled by David Jones, there were strong appeals from the players and the fans but referee Lee Probert ignored the claims.

Carlo Nash almost gifted Derby a goal in the 23rd minute when David Jones drilled a free-kick straight at the keeper and it bounced out of his grasp. Mo Camara pounced and headed the ball towards goal but it hit the underside of the bar and caused the most almighty of scrambles in the six-yard box. The ball pinged around like a pinball and fortunately for the Lilywhites North End's goal was left unscathed.

North End could have and maybe should have been in the lead in the 29th minute. David Nugent mugged Dean Laycock on the Pavilion side touchline and set off towards goal with Brett Ormerod for company, there was only Michael Johnson between then and when Nuge played in Ormerod the striker had a clear sight at goal. Ormerod went for power over placement and it took a fingertip save from Bywater to divert the shot over the bar.

Steve Howard was booked in the 35th minute for another clumsy challenge, this time on Callum Davidson. Then three minutes Davidson himself was in the book after a late tackle on Jon Stead.

Matt Hill, yet to score for the Lilywhites, tried his luck from 35-yards in the 43rd minute after Tommy Miller had found him in space in the middle of the pitch, but the full-back's effort never looked like threatening the goal.

It was handbags at dawn in the first minute of stoppage time. Brett Ormerod was sent tumbling just outside the box by Leacock and the pair squared up to each other as the referee awarded the free-kick in North End's favour. That sparked plenty of pushing and shoving between almost every player.

When it had all calmed down both Leacock and Ormerod picked up yellow cards for their troubles.

From the free-kick Graham Alexander drilled a shot towards goal and Stead almost diverted it into the net, fortunately for the Rams it ended up in the side-netting.

The handbags continued as the first-half was brought to an end with players squaring up to each other all over the pitch. The referee had to get between a couple of players in the middle of the pitch.

Three minutes into the second half and Derby County took the lead. Bisgaard found acres of space on the right of the box and his shot-cum-cross could only be palmed into the path of Steve Howard by Carlo Nash. The big striker had the easiest of balls to poke into an empty net.

Three minutes later and it was 2-0 to the Rams. Howard again, this time from penalty spot after Jon Stead had his legs taken from beneath him by Liam Chilvers.

Marc Edworthy was booked in the 53rd minute for a rash challenge on Callum Davidson, all this whilst David Jones was laid up the other end of the pitch injured.

On 59 minutes Nugent played a delightful little ball into the feet of Brett Ormerod and the striker was one on one with Johnson, he turned his man managed to get sight of goal, his shot was blocked though away for a corner.

A double substitution by Paul Simpson in the 61st minute. Simon Whaley and Paul McKenna both came on in place of Chris Sedgwick and Callum Davidson.

Whaley's pace made an immediate impact and he helped set up Brett Ormerod for a chance on 63 minutes. Ormerod twisted and turned in the box before hitting a left-footed effort that was well blocked again.

Ormerod had another chance in the 67th minute and it only needed the slightest of touches as McKenna whipped a free-kick across goal towards the back post. Ormerod arrived late at the back stick but he just couldn't get a touch on the ball.

In the 70th minute Arturo Lupoli came on for Bisgaard for the Rams.

Jon Stead was booked in the 72nd minute following a wild challenge on Sean St. Ledger.

Nugent almost got a goal to drag PNE back into the game on 73 minutes, it was a great delivery from the left by Matt Hill and Nugent rose highest to power a header towards goal, unfortunately for PNE it was straight at goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.

Preston made their third and final change of the afternoon in the 75th minute when Lewis Neal came on for Tommy Miller.

Preston were piling forward and with fifteen minutes left on the clock the Lilywhites hit the woodwork. It came after Alexander had cut inside onto his left foot and dinked a ball into the six-yard box, Danny Pugh stuck a leg out at the ball instinctively and the ball spun agonisingly onto the post.

PNE did finally manage to get a goal back in the 78th minute. Graham Alexander played another crafty ball into the mixer and this time David Nugent got to it first and he swept the ball home from just six yards to give PNE fans hope.

With seven minutes left on the clock the heavens opened and that looked to have dampened any North End fight-back. Jon Stead cut in from the left and slammed a ball over the bar.

As Derby made a final change sending on Bob Malcolm for Giles Barnes it was PNE who like they were in need of an extra sub as Sean St. Ledger looked to be hobbling badly.

St. Ledger still managed to get forward to loop a ball across goal and force Derby into a mad goal-line clearance.

Paul McKenna had a brilliant chance with just three minutes left on the clock. Alexander and Ormerod combined brilliantly down the right and it was Ormerod who played the perfectly weighted pass across the 18-yard box to an unmarked McKenna, but his shot flew high over the bar rather than making the net bulge.

The officials handed PNE a moral boost when they agreed that there would be five minutes of stoppage time.

Lupoli almost settled the game in the second minute of stoppage time, he had the legs on Chilvers and stormed into the box, Carlo Nash did well to block the shot but Lupoli still had the ball and it took a great goal-line clearance from Liam Chilvers to deny the Arsenal youngster.

North End threw absolutely everything at Derby in the closing seconds of the game and that included sending Carlo Nash up for a corner but it was to no avail as the referee blew the whistle for full-time.