Derby County's hopes of an extended run in the Carling Cup ended at the first hurdle against Crewe Alexandra this evening.

The Rams were beaten 1-0 by the npower League Two side, with the only goal coming in first half injury time when Shaun Barker headed into his own net.

Despite strong pressure, Derby weren't able to find an equaliser and suffered defeat to a League Two side for the second season running.

Nigel Clough shuffled his pack slightly after the victory at Leeds at the weekend, bringing Chris Porter and Dean Moxey in for Rob Hulse and Gareth Roberts who were rested and on the bench.

Barker came in for the injured Russell Anderson, while Ben Pringle replaced Paul Green who is preparing to line up for the Republic of Ireland against Argentina on Wednesday evening.

In the sunshine at Gresty Road Derby were desperate to avoid a Cup upset for the second season running against League Two opposition after the defeat to Rotherham a year ago.

But Crewe began brightly and one-time York City hotshot Clayton Donaldson brought a save from Bywater in the Derby goal.

The Rams responded with a chance of their own, with Commons producing neat close control to shrug off the attentions of a Crewe defender and blasting a shot goalwards from 30 yards out at Taylor palmed away.

It was almost a case of 'they attack, we attack' as Miller hit the side netting for Crewe on 10 minutes, and straight down the other end Cywka fired a long distance effort down the throat of Taylor.

Crewe had a 1-0 home defeat to Hereford to put out of their systems, and they were eagerly getting into Derby's faces to prevent Clough's men getting into their stride.

A sticky, long pitch was denying Derby the chance to play their slick, fast passing game.

Derby were having to be patient and wait for the chances to come, and Porter headed a Commons' cross over just before the half hour.

The Rams enjoyed the majority of possession from the half hour, but they were unable to turn break down a resolute and well drilled Crewe side who got men behind the ball and made life difficult for Derby.

Commons almost found a breakthrough late in the half, but his cross-shot flashed just off target.

In the last minute of the half Taylor turned a towering header from Barker over the crossbar after Cywka picked out the Rams defender from a corner.

But against the run of play, the home side broke the deadlock in first half injury time.

A cross into the box wasn't deal with sufficiently, and under pressure from Zola the unfortunate Shaun Barker saw his back header fly past Bywater to give the home side an unlikely lead.

Derby responded at the interval by making a change with Hulse coming on for Porter in a straight swap up front.

Straight away Hulse got into the thick of the action and forced Taylor to dive bravely at his feet as he burst into the box.

Derby kept up the early pressure and Bailey fizzed a low shot at goal which Taylor saved well.

The Rams were giving their all, but Crewe were not giving their lead up without a fight.

In fact, on the break they could have doubled their lead soon after the hour when Miller's curling shot from edge of the area beat Bywater, but the ball crashed off the post and away to safety.

Commons' long range shot was saved by Taylor as Derby stepped it up a gear.

Barker was replaced with twenty minutes left by Roberts, a move that resulted in Moxey slotting in at centre-back and Roberts at left-back.

Crewe had a cup shock to hang onto and as they did in the first half, got back in numbers and restricted Derby to limited chances.

The Rams threw Conor Doyle on for his debut in the closing minutes in place of Pringle as the last thrown of the dice from the bench.

Persistence almost paid off when Commons' cross picked out Hulse at the far post, but he was nudged off the ball Blachett when Derby had a strong case for a penalty.

Brayford was denied at close range by Taylor as the pressure began to build in Derby's favour in the closing five minutes.

Derby threw everything forwards, but Crewe held on to see the Rams bow out of the competition.

Attendance: 3,778 (1,361 Derby County fans)