Nigel Clough believes the sheer effort and determination of his side deserved far better than today's 1-0 defeat to Swansea City.

A Shefki Kuqi header midway through the second period handed the points to Paulo Sousa's men at Pride Park.

Speaking post-match, the Rams boss praised the performance of his side and was quick to focus on the positives that he saw.

"I think the effort and commitment that went in warranted a point today at the least," Clough told Rams Player .

"When Michael Tonge hit the underside of the bar with two minutes left it summed things up that it wasn't quite our day.

"It was a defeat today, but it certainly wasn't for the lack of trying and if that level is maintained, as it has been over the last month or so, we won't lose too many.

"It was hard for either side to create anything in open play out there, but if there was going to be a chance it was going to be from a dead ball.

"Set-pieces played a big part in our victory over Preston in midweek but one today was our downfall which is disappointing."

Jay McEveley will be missing for the trip to West Bromwich Albion last week after being sent off for two bookable offences, and Clough admitted he didn't see the incident that saw his left-back dismissed.

"I didn't really see it; it was almost off the ball," he said.

"Jay says the lad just ran at him, perhaps being a bit cute knowing he was on a yellow card.

"After that we saw the incident where Pintado was sent off and the scenes that followed.

"It was certainly a red card and we saw passion from both sets of players."

The injury to Kris Commons early on prompted a debut from the bench for new signing Gilles Sunu from Arsenal, and Clough was pleased with the youngster's display.

"I was pleased with Sunu, it was always going to be hard coming from reserve football and having not even trained with us," he said.

"He did ok in the hour he was on, it was a good introduction for him."

Watch more from Nigel Clough right now on Rams Player reacting to today's game.