Derby County suffered late heartbreak at the hands of promotions-favourites Sheffield United this afternoon as the Rams suffered their first home defeat of the campaign.

The Blades were the victors in the early kick-off at Pride Park Stadium in a game of relatively few chances thanks to Matt Kilgallon's header with just ten minutes remaining on the clock.

Rams boss Nigel Clough handed starts to defender Shaun Barker, winger Lee Croft and central midfielder Paul Green against Kevin Blackwell's side. Jake Buxton, Kris Commons and Jake Livermore were the trio who reverted to the bench.

Ex-Blade Rob Hulse led the line in attack while new Rams signing Lee Hendrie nor Jordan Stewart were involved in the matchday squads after the swap deal between the two which took place last week.

IN ACTION: Rob Hulse against his former club

The sun was shining brightly down on Pride Park Stadium without a cloud in the sky as the Rams got the game underway.

Within a minute Dean Moxey burst forwards from left-back to drill a shot goalwards which was deflected behind for a corner which Bunn claimed.

Immediately up the other end Keith Treacy sliced a shot wide in a lively start to proceedings from both sides.

Treacy shot wide again a few minutes later, and on thirteen minutes he wasted a good chance on the break to put the visitors ahead in a three-on-two situation in which Treacy went for goal himself and blasted over.

The Blades were celebrating a goal on the twenty-minute mark when a mix-up at the back allowed Jamie Ward clear on goal and despite Bywater denying the Northern Ireland striker with a fine stop Darius Henderson tucked the rebound away.

However, the Rams were relieved to see the Assistant Referee's flag raised to indicate Henderson was offside and the goal was ruled out.

That goal was during a spell of strong United pressure where the Rams defence had to be strong and deal with a number of crosses into their penalty area.

Just after the half-way point of the half Paul Green carved out a good opportunity for Stephen Pearson with a lovely cross into his path some sixteen yards out with a run from midfield but he volleyed just over the bar.

ON THE RUN: Paul Green Launches An Attack

Derby finished the half very strongly and began to find themselves in good attacking situations, but they just couldn't capitalise to turn those positions into chances.

Gary Teale and Paul Green both delivered crosses to put the Blades defence on the back foot, but both times Bunn claimed well under pressure inside his six-yard box.

At the start of the second period Teale was just a matter of inches away from opening the scoring when his intended cross to the far post deceived Bunn and bounced off the top of the crossbar and away to safety.

United's first chance of the half came after Derby couldn't clear their lines from a long-throw and the ball to broke for Quinn on the edge of the box but he skied his first-time effort into the United fans behind the goal.

A few minutes later the ginger-haired midfield got his head on a Treacy cross but glanced his effort wide of Bywater's goal.

Chances were still few and far between, but it certainly wasn't for lack of effort with both sides battling away in search of that illusive opportunity.

Just after the hour Nigel Clough shuffled his pack by bringing on-loan Tottenham Hotspur youngster Jake Livermore off the bench in place of the industrious Paul Green on his return from injury.

By that stage Derby had plenty of momentum behind them, but they were finding it difficult to break down a stubborn United defence marshalled well by their captain Chris Morgan.

DEBUT: Shaun Barker made his first Rams start today

Clough sought to unlock that defence by introducing Scotland international Kris Commons into the action with fifteen minutes to go in place of Lee Croft, which saw Gary Teale move to the right and Commons operate on the left.

Many fans felt the Rams had broken the deadlock with fifteen minutes to go when Rob Hulse rose at the far post to head towards goal, but he put his effort just wide of the target.

Teale then tested Bunn's reactions with a powerful low drive as the game edged towards the final ten minutes, and the goalkeeper was equal to it with a smart stop at his near post.

The breakthrough was made with just ten minutes to go, and it was the away side who drew first blood from a set-piece.

Barker gave a free-kick away down the right and Treacy's dead-ball was headed into the Derby goal by defender Matt Kilgallon, with Bywater given no chance with the ball perfectly planted into the far corner.

LOOKING ON: Nigel Clough gets his message across

It was then down to Derby to chase the game and find an equaliser, but despite their best efforts they just couldn't find a way back onto level terms and as a result were condemned to their first home defeat of the campaign.

In fact, the Blades could have added to their tally in injury time but Bywater made a superb save to deny Ward when clear on goal.

The Rams have the opportunity to quickly get this defeat out of their system with the visit of Barnsley to Pride Park Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Derby County: Bywater, Connolly, Addison, Barker (Leacock 90), Moxey, Croft (Commons 74), Green (Livermore 62), Savage (C), Pearson, Teale, Hulse
Subs: Buxton, Deeney, Dickov, McEveley
Booked: Savage, Pearson

Sheffield United: Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan (C), Kilgallon, Henderson (Evans 75), Harper, Taylor, Ward, Treacy (Cotterill 81), Quinn (France 88), Walker
Subs: Reid, Bennett, Little
Booked: Montgomery, Henderson
Goals: Kilgallon (80)

Referee: Mr A D'Urso

Attendance: 28,441 (2,743 Sheffield United Fans)