Derby County were on the wrong end of a 4-1 score at the hands of Scunthorpe United at Pride Park Stadium this afternoon.

Gary Hooper and Garry Thompson strikes had Scunthorpe 2-0 up at the break and although Derby rallied and pulled a goal back through Kris Commons Thompson and sub Jonathan Forte struck late on to secure the points for the visitors.

Nicky Hunt and Lee Johnson made their full Derby debuts after sealing loan moves to Pride Park in the last seven days while there was a recall for skipper Robbie Savage in central midfield.

Kris Commons and Paul Connolly made way to the bench but Lee Hendrie missed out with a hamstring problem.

Derby started positively and Rob Hulse forced Josh Lillis into an instinctive save at his near post after seven minutes after turning Byrne neatly inside the box.

Stephen Bywater came to Derby's rescue in the 12th minute by storming off his line to make a tremendous save at the feet of Gary Hooper after the striker - who scored twice against Derby back in August - found himself clear on goal.

But two minutes later, the striker found himself in an identical situation and this time he made no mistake. He kept his composure when clear on goal again and calmly slotted the ball past the Rams goalkeeper.

Derby chased a quick response and Lillis denied Johnson a full debut goal with an instinctive save low to his left and Byrne was able to hold off the attentions of Hulse to allow the goalkeeper to dive on the loose ball.

Bywater was at Derby's rescue again on twenty minutes, blocking a shot from Paul Hayes at point-blank range with Scunthorpe having plenty of joy on the break.

Derby were enjoying a number of forays forwards and seeing plenty of the ball; and their pressure was almost rewarded with an equalising goal on twenty-six minutes but Buxton guided a Savage free-kick just over.

Hulse tested Lillis with a header on the half-hour mark but his effort lacked power and the Scunthorpe goalkeeper saved easily inside the six-yard box.

With just a minute remaining in the half, Scunthorpe struck a second hammer blow by doubling their lead.

Thompson took advantage of far too much time and space just inside the Derby box and he drove a low right-foot effort past Bywater and in off the far post to leave the Rams with a mountain to climb in the second period.

Nigel Clough responded at the break by replacing Porter with Commons, who slotted in up top alongside Hulse as Derby chased a way back into the game.

Hulse had a good opportunity to bring Derby back into proceedings five minutes into the half but from close range he headed over the bar.

Derby were on the offensive and were desperately trying to make the breakthrough and were getting back in numbers to make life as difficult as possible for the Rams.

Savage tried his luck with a long range effort before the hour but Lillis saved easily.

But a minute before the hour he was beaten as Commons bagged his second goal in as many games.

The half-time substitute let fly with a powerful drive which, with the aid of a deflection, beat Lillis and found its way into the back of the net.

Derby tails were up and they continued to attack, but Scunthorpe kept their shape and defied the Rams with some vital clearances.

Steven Davies was introduced into the game with twenty minutes remaining in place of Paul Green with Derby still in the ascendancy.

Bywater denied Togwell as Scunthorpe burst forwards on the break with fifteen minutes left, but Derby responded by carving out a quick opportunity of their own.

Hulse thought he had equalised after meeting Hunt's cross inside the six-yard box but somehow his effort was cleared off the line.

Paul Connolly replaced Hunt for the final ten minutes as Derby made their final change.

With nine minutes left however, Scunthorpe wrapped up the victory as Hooper did well down the right to deliver a cross to Thompson who crashed the ball home from twelve yards out.

Again Derby pushed for a response, but Scunthorpe caught Derby napping again and substitute Jonathan Forte prodded home from close range with a few minutes left on the clock to make it 4-1.

Derby must dust themselves down quickly and respond with the visit of Millwall in the FA Cup 3rd Round replay at Pride Park on Tuesday evening.