Derby County's Championship status for next season is secure after a 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace this afternoon.

Russell Anderson glanced home after six minutes at Pride Park to give Derby the lead before Stern John equalised for Palace with five minutes to go.

As it turned out, a point was enough for Derby to finally edge over the finishing line and secure their Championship status for another season.

Nigel Clough handed David Martin a first start in Derby colours since his loan switch from Millwall back in February, coming in for Steven Davies on the left-hand side of midfield.

Ironically, Martin was making his first Derby start against the side that plucked him out of non-league football with Dartford a few years ago.

The only other change to Derby's line-up from the goalless draw at Barnsley a week ago was up front with Chris Porter in for Rob Hulse who picked up a hamstring injury in training yesterday.

In the bright Derbyshire sunshine Derby kicked off and enjoyed the majority of the early possession.

Anderson came close to making contact with a Michael Tonge free-kick in the early moments, but on six minutes it was Savage and Anderson who linked up to give Derby the lead.

Savage's perfect delivery from out on the left saw Anderson get in ahead of Julian Speroni and guide the ball into the back of the net for his first goal in a Derby shirt.

Set-pieces were proving to be very effective for Derby in this game and Barker was inches away from doubling the lead at the back post from a Martin corner but Palace cleared.

The visitors were struggling to break down the resolute Rams and their first opportunity of any significance came ten minutes before the break.

Even when it did come, Barker nipped to take the ball off Ambrose's toe inside the area as he prepared to shoot towards goal.

Cywka and Martin linked up well to create a chance for Derby late in the half but the latter shot straight at Speroni on the half volley.

The Argentinean goalkeeper produced a fine stop at his near post in first half injury time to keep of Cywka's stinging drive as Derby ended the half on top.

The Rams continued to enjoy the better of things in the second half with Porter going close with a header soon after the restart but he headed over.

Just before the hour Palace had their first serious effort of the game to worry the Rams as Danns headed just wide after rising highest to meet a cross from the right.

Sub Stern John then flashed a shot wide after turning well inside the area with Palace enjoying their best spell of pressure.

Tonge flashed a free-kick just over with a powerful drive five minutes after the hour while Ertl was also off target with a long-range drive for Palace two minutes later.

Cywka was replaced by Davies with twenty minutes left on the clock as Nigel Clough called on some fresh legs to go into the closing stages.

Palace created the next opportunity but John headed Butterfield's centre straight at Bywater.

Bywater then performed heroics to thwart Palace twice as the final ten minutes approached.

First he palmed away Ambrose's stinging drive from long range and when the rebound fell to John six yards out the goalkeeper was up on his feet to block the striker's rebound effort when he looked destined to equalise.

John - who had a loan spell with the Rams a few years ago - came even closer to equalising with nine minutes left when his shot on the turn rocketed back off the bar and away to safety.

Palace had some momentum behind them and John was presented with another chance five minutes from time and he was able to get enough behind his shot to send the ball beyond Bywater.

Palace's confidence was brimming and they pushed for a winner, but in the end both sides had to be content to settle for a point apiece.