Nigel Clough said his Derby County side beaten by a 'dubious penalty and a wonder goal' at Doncaster Rovers this afternoon.

The Rams were beaten 2-1 at the Keepmoat Stadium despite an encouraging second half performance.

Clough said afterwards: "We were much better in the second half once we changed a few things around, controlling the game for long periods.

"We're not playing as well as we have been away from home of late, but today we were beaten by a dubious penalty and what you can only describe as a wonder goal.

"For all the good football Doncaster played they cut us open very rarely today and David Martin had very little to do.

"We are obviously concerned we are 4 points off the relegation zone right now, but all we can do now is go out there against Middlesbrough on Tuesday and try to widen the gap again."

Rob Hulse took his season's tally to 11 by pulling a goal back late on, and Clough felt the striker deserved his strike.

He said: "It was a good goal from Rob, he worked tremendously hard which is a boost for him."

Derby return to action on Tuesday at home to Middlesbrough, and Clough has urged his team to take the initiative against Gordon Strachan's men.

"We would much rather be at home; we will try and get on the front foot from the off which is something we didn't managed to do today."