Derby County turned the formbook upside down by ending Nottingham Forest's 19-match unbeaten run with a thoroughly deserved 1-0 victory at Pride Park Stadium this afternoon.

Leading goalscorer Rob Hulse glanced home Kris Commons' cross with 11 minutes left to give Derby the win over their fierce rivals.

Derby had the better of the chances throughout, with Lee Camp denying Shaun Barker and Jake Buxton before Hulse struck to earn Derby a throughly deserved three points.

Nigel Clough opted to make just one change from the side that started at Plymouth in midweek, with ex-Forest attacker Commons coming in for DJ Campbell who was on the bench.

In an electric atmosphere at Pride Park Derby kicked off attacking towards the South Stand and quickly set about creating a tempo to the game.

Forest had the first effort on goal after 5 minutes from a corner, but Barker threw himself in the way of Earnshaw's volley inside the six-yard box to make a vital block.

Derby carved out their first effort on 10 minutes, also from a corner, but Pearson's half volley flashed just wide.

From another set play Forest came close on 17 minutes but Wes Morgan couldn't direct his towering header on target from Cohen's centre.

Derby then took control. Corner after corner was won which kept Forest pinned back in their own half, but the Reds defended well and Camp wasn't tested, but they had their work cut out.

Camp was tested on the midway point of his half, diving backwards at full stretch to tip Buxton's looping header over the bar which looked destined for the back of the net.

The corners continued to flow and fellow defender Barker was next to bring Camp into action with a low header which the goalkeeper turned away diving to his right with a fine stop.

The momentum was with the Rams, but they weren't able to make the pressure count.

Chances were few and far between as the half wore on but Derby were enjoying the better of the game, but just weren't able to create any further chances.

Forest wasted a good chance early in the second half to break the deadlock after a mazy run by Earnshaw into the area but his ball across goal to Anderson bounced up off the winger and away to safety.

It was the away side enjoying the better of the early part of the second period, and Bywater was called upon to make a stunning double save to keep out headers from Blackstock and then Anderson at point-blank range.

Hulse then dragged a volley wide for Derby on the hour with their first effort of the half, but straight down the other end McEveley had to be called upon to make a superb block by throwing himself in the way of a goalbound effort from Anderson.

As the final twenty minutes approached the atmosphere and competitiveness sprang back into life with both sides having free-kick appeals waved away in promising attacking positions.

Gary Teale came off the bench with 15 minutes left in place of Johnson, and he quickly got into the game by delivering a deep cross to the far post which was only inches away from the stretching Buxton at the far post.

With just 11 minutes left to go, the deadlock was finally broken and Pride Park burst into raptures as Hulse glanced home his seventh goal of the season with a perfect glancing header six yards out from Commons' excellent delivery.

That prompted Forest to bounce back quickly and chase a response, but Derby were not in a mood to let their lead slip with some determined defending.

To shore up the defending Russell Anderson came on three minutes from time in place of Commons, who left to a standing ovation from the Rams fans and a swap involving Hulse and Porter followed soon afterwards.

As added time was signalled a tense few minutes followed as Forest poured forwards, but again they couldn't test Bywater.

As the few whistle blew the celebrations could begin....Derby craved this victory, and they got it.

Derby County: Bywater, Hunt, Buxton, Barker, McEveley, Green, Savage, Johnson (Teale 74), Pearson, Commons (Anderson 87), Hulse (Porter 90)
Subs: Addison, Deeney, Campbell, Moxey
Booked: Hulse, Hunt
Goals: Hulse (79)

Nottingham Forest: Camp, Perch, Morgan, Wilson, Anderson (Moussi 76), Earnshaw (Adebola 71), Cohen, Gunter, McKenna, Blackstock, Majewski (McGugan 81)
Subs: Chambers, McCleary, McGoldrick, Smith
Booked: Majewski

Referee: Mr Swarbrick

Attendance: 32,674