A Nicky Maynard brace ended Derby County's recent unbeaten run away from Pride Park at Bristol City this afternoon.

Maynard opened the scoring after three minutes at Ashton Gate and he converted a late penalty to condemn Derby to defeat although Stephen Pearson did pull a late goal back for the Rams.

As expected, Saul Deeney made his first start for Derby in Stephen Bywater's absence while Stephen Pearson was preferred to David Martin in midfield after completing his two-match suspension.

Paul Green was due to start in midfield for the Rams, but he pulled a muscle in the warm-up so his place in the side went to on-loan Arsenal loanee Gilles Sunu.

Derby's large away following in the Wedlock Stand were in party mood for the final away game of the season, with many in fancy dress and making the most of the day.

Their mood was slightly dampened after just three minutes when Nicky Maynard opened the scoring for the home side.

A deep cross by Gary Sawyer picked out Marvin Elliott at the far post and his unselfish header back across goal was tapped into the net by Maynard for his nineteenth goal of the season from close range.

Derby quickly dusted themselves down and Robbie Savage's tireless hard work in midfield created a chance for Chris Porter, but his shot from the edge of the box was gathered easily by Gerken.

The lively Jamal Campbell-Ryce flashed an effort wide from just inside the area at the midway point of the first half for City, with Deeney untested other than picking the ball out the back of the net in the first period.

Without the ball Derby were ensuring City didn't have a moments peace at the back and Stephen Pearson almost benefited as a result before the half hour after Porter won possession of the ball but his goalbound shot was blocked.

After being called upon as a late replacement for the injured Paul Green, Gilles Sunu's afternoon ended prematurely before the half-time break after picking up a calf injury and he was replaced by Gary Teale.

Tomasz Cywka almost bagged a fortuitous equaliser for Derby late in the first half when he closed down a clearance by Gerken but the ball deflected just wide.

And Derby came even closer in first-half injury time when Gerken was forced to dive full length to his right to turn away Nicky Hunt's ferocious drive from twenty-five yards.

Cywka created Derby's opportunity of the second period by displaying some neat footwork on the edge of the area to create enough room to get a shot in towards goal which fizzed just wide.

Only a few days after returning from his loan spell at Sheffield United Paul Connolly came off the bench to replace Russell Anderson who picked up a slight hamstring strain early in the half.

On the hour Porter had a golden chance to haul Derby back onto level terms but he turned Pearson's cross wide from twelve yards.

Indecision by Gerken when coming to claim the ball on the edge of his area presented a half chance for Cywka two minutes later but he rushed his effort and Hartley was able to get back in time to clear the ball off the line.

Derby were enjoying by far the better of the game and were playing some really attractive football, and it did seem an equaliser was on its way.

David Martin replaced Porter with twenty minutes left after picking up a knock, Derby's fourth picked up at Ashton Gate.

With Derby looking the most likely to score during a wave of pressure, City caught Derby on the break and Hunt hauled down Maynard in the area for a penalty which the striker converted to take his season's tally to twenty.

A good run by Teale almost reduced the deficit straight away but after bursting into the area his shot was saved by Gerken.

Derby did however did pull a goal back with five minutes left through Stephen Pearson who calmly slotted home his first goal of the season after good play by Martin and Cywka to work the opening.

From the kick-off Derby immediately won the ball back and had an opportunity to draw level after a lung-busting run by Pearson but Cywka dragged his effort wide.

Deeney pulled off a fine save in the final minute to deny Maynard his hat-trick, and although Derby pushed for a late equaliser City held on for the win.