FULL TIME: RAMS 2-1 PETERBOROUGH UNITED

A glorious sunny August day provided the backdrop for the opening day of the 2009 - 10 Championship season with a large crowd eager to see the new campaign start in the right manner.

The prospect of teams managed by the sons of two of the most successful managers in the modern game added extra spice while Rams fans who remembered a similar scenario of a home start against a newly promoted club from last seasons' disappointing defeat to Doncaster knew that a win would be anything but a foregone conclusion.

With the day being designated Lionel Pickering Day the match was preceded by a minute's applause dedicated to the memory of both the former Derby chairman and onetime England manager Sir Bobby Robson.

Peterborough in their change strip of all green kicked off with the Rams defending the University of Derby Stand.

Nigel Clough incorporated three debutants into his line-up and it only took a minute for Lee Croft to show what he could do with an incisive run that won a corner. Croft delivered the corner which was initially cleared but Gary Teale played it back to Paul Green who found Jake Buxton. The central defender headed on for Miles Addison to find the back of the net after 4 minutes.

The Rams won another corner four minutes later that the Posh initially struggled to deal with before getting it away.

It was Teale who created the next moment of anxiety for the visitors as his left wing cross provided Steve Davies with an opportunity that he headed just over.

Derby appeared to have won another corner after Croft picked out Paul Greens' run into the box. The linesman, however, decided the ball had gone out off the midfielder.

Peterborough were struggling to make any impression on the Rams backline and Nigel Cloughs' men carved out a great chance for Stephen Pearson with 18 minutes on the clock Paul Connelly did the hard work skinning Tom Williams but Pearson had the ball whipped away from him before he could pull the trigger.

Darren Ferguson thought his side had equalized on 23 but Craig Mackail - Smiths' strike was ruled out for offside.

It would have been an injustice anyway as Stephen Bywater had had nothing to do apart from field back passes at this stage.

Teale was next to bamboozle a ragged visiting defence with a shot from the left that went past everybody before ending narrowly wide of the far post.

Posh created a rare moment of danger winning a free kick from just outside the left hand edge of the Derby box but it was easily dealt with.

The signs were there that the visitors were coming more to grips with the game and Aaron McLean seemingly appeared out of nowhere in the 36th minute and should have done better than fire wide from a dangerous position.

Dean Keates became the first man to incur the ire of referee Taylor for his protests at a free kick given in favour of Croft.

Green and Croft combined well to earn a corner but the ex-Norwich wide man was not so good with the delivery of the corner.

The Rams looked to have added a second as a Buxton header from yet another right wing corner seemed goal bound till Joe Lewis in the Posh goal plucked it out of the air.

Half time: Rams 1-0 Peterborough United

Nigel Clough made one change at half time introducing Kris Commons in place of Paul Green who had been carrying an injury throughout the week leading up to the match.

Teale was first to show in the second half with a bit of trickery to beat his man, while Savage nearly beat the 'Boro keeper lofting in a shot after the away side had failed to clear a corner.

Commons showed great vision after 49 minutes reversing a ball into the path of Teale who raced his way into the penalty area feeding Davies with a pass that the centre forward could not complete. Arguably Pearson was better placed to receive the ball anyway.

It was Commons causing problems moments later with a great cross from the left.

Posh then made their first chance with Lee Frecklington replacing Dean Keates on 53.

Teale then tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the box that was always going wide.

Paul Coutts carved himself a shooting opportunity but Bywater was able to watch the ball go past his post without any real concerns.

Buxton became the first Derby player to get booked just short of the hour mark as he clipped the heels of Mackail-Smith as he started to accelerate away.

Sean Batt came on for Tommy Rowe after 62 minutes as Darren Ferguson once more rung the changes.

Person had a great chance to double the score after being fed by Croft but could only find the side netting.

As play switched to the other end of the pitch it was Dean Moxey who proved himself a hero with a last ditch tackle.

Derby suddenly started to look very open and suspect at the back with Peterboro repeatedly getting through the home defence only to find Bywater on his game.

Without Green in the midfield the home side were looking weaker defensively but could have doubled their lead with both Pearson and Teale given chances which they failed to capitalize on in the same move.

With 75 gone Commons was denied what seemed a cast iron penalty decision denied as he worked his way into the area only to be mugged by Gabriel Zakuani. The referee was, however totally unimpressed.

The fourth of Derbys' summer signings Ben Pringle made a debut on 79 replacing Croft. But the big talking point came 3 minutes later as Bywater upended Batt in the area leaving the referee with no option but to award a penalty which George Boyd duly despatched to make it 1 - 1 with 7 minutes remaining.

It would have been harsh to deny them their equalizer which had been threatening for some time.

The lead lasted a mere three minutes before Gary Teale poked the ball home from close range after Peterborough had failed to clear a Moxey corner from the right.

Jay McEveley became the final substitution replacing Davies for the last 2 minutes.

Commons had the chance to seal things in the third minute of stoppage time but despite being one on one could not find the finish.

The Rams had defending to do in the final moments but stuck to their task to end deserved winners by 2 goals to 1.

FULL TIME: RAMS 2-1 PETERBOROUGH UNITED