Derby County kept their first clean sheet of the campaign against Blackpool this evening as the Rams claimed a hard-earned point a 0-0 draw at Bloomfield Road.

Stephen Bywater made an outstanding second half save from Alex Baptiste to ensure the Rams their first point away from Pride Park this term in a rock-solid defensive display by Nigel Clough's side.

Clough opted to make two changes to the side that started in the 3-2 defeat at Scunthorpe United on Saturday with key players Rob Hulse and Kris Commons were both handed starts at Bloomfield Road.

Jay McEveley and Paul Green - suffering a sore foot - were the two players to miss out.

For Blackpool, they handed a start to ex-Rams defender Ian Evatt while new loan signing from Arsenal Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was named on the bench.

Derby - with Hulse and Commons back leading the line - started brightly and created an opportunity in the opening three minutes but Hulse's header from Savage's cross was straight at Rachubka.

UP FOR IT: ROB HULSE WINS A HEADER

Charlie Adam forced a routine stop from Bywater moments later from long range, but it was Derby enjoying the early pressure.

Croft and Teale were receiving the ball wide on a regular basis and both were not shy in taking on the Blackpool defence and bursting into the attacking third.

The home side - spurred on by a home support in full voice throughout - should have taken the lead on 31 minutes when Ormerod got the better of Moxey down the right and delivered a superb ball across the six yard box that was a matter of inches away from the onrushing Euell.

Two minutes later Baptiste blasted over with the home side enjoying a good spell of pressure.

A few minutes before the break that was a skirmish between Savage and Baptiste in front of the Derby fans, resulting in a stern talking to for both players.

The Rams had the first chance of the second half but Miles Addison's diving header from Commons' free-kick but the defender couldn't direct his effort on target.

A few minutes later the defender rose highest to Lee Croft's corner, but again he was off target.

Hulse was next to try his luck with the Rams on top but after showing good strength to hold off Rob Edwards he fired just over.

The Rams made their first change on 66 minutes as Paul Green replaced Lee Croft down the right, which resulted in Gary Teale moving out to the right and Stephen Pearson to the left.

Stephen Bywater made an outstanding save to deny Baptiste from 25 yards midway through the half, diving full-length to his left to push the ball away for a corner when the ball looked destined for the back of the net.

ON DUTY: JAKE BUXTON IN DEFENSIVE ACTION

As the game approached the final ten minutes the game flew wide open, almost having a cup-tie feel to it.

On the break the Rams almost found a way through but Commons' ball to Pearson - who had made a superb run forwards - had a little too much on it and Buxton headed just over as Derby continued to look dangerous from set-pieces.

Rob Hulse was replaced by Luke Varney for the final ten minutes as he continued his successful comeback from a groin injury and Jay McEveley replaced Kris Commons in the final minute.

No question, Derby deserved their point and the defensive display will no doubt have pleased the Manager and his staff as the players responded to their rallying call to shore up at the back after the Scunthorpe defeat.

Blackpool: Rachubka, Southern, Eardley, Evatt, Ormerod, Vaughan (Emmanuel-Thomas 57), Taylor-Fletcher (Clarke 88), Baptiste, Euell, Edwards, Adam (Demontagnac 87)
Subs: Gilks, Bangura, Almond

Derby County: Bywater, Connolly, Buxton, Addison, Moxey, Croft (Green 67), Savage, Pearson, Teale, Commons (McEveley 89), Hulse (Varney 80)
Subs: Deeney, Leacock, Barker, Pringle

Referee: Mr E Ilderton

Attendance: 8,056 (1,303 Derby County Fans)