Derby County fell to a 2-1 defeat to Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium in the Wednesday evening Sky Bet Championship clash.

Sam Clucas put the home side ahead half-way through the first-half after Joe Allen played him through. Moments later, Stoke were reduced to 10 men when Peter Etebo was shown a red card for his dangerous challenge on Richard Keogh.

For the second consecutive game, Harry Wilson found the equaliser for the Rams with a beautifully curled free-kick past Jack Butland. However former Ram Tom Ince found the winner for the Potters.

The Rams started well and looked to take control of the potters in the opening 15 minutes with Jack Butland being called into action with only eight minutes played. Derby’s high press caused Ryan Shawcross to give the ball away which was picked up by Lawrence.

The Welshman played the ball round his marker, Cuco Martina, back to himself and his left-footed low strike from inside the box forced a strong hand from Stoke’s ‘keeper.

The home side built in to the game and started to look more threatening. Jayden Bogle, back in action after an illness kept him out last match, cleared a dangerous cross by Joe Allen. Two minutes later Scott Carson batted away a low shot by Tom Ince and the Rams No. 1 quickly jumped down onto the ball as Etebo rushed in.

The home side took the lead after 25 minutes when Allen slotted a through ball for Clucas who tucked it past Carson.

Having taken the lead less than 10 minutes earlier, the Potters were reduced to 10 men when Etebo was given the marching orders for a dangerous high challenge on Richard Keogh while Bradley Johnson and Allen were both booked for the aftermath.

Lawrence drew another save from Butland in the closing minutes of the half as he stepped inside and took aim.

The Rams came out lively for the second-half and Jack Marriott almost found the equaliser straight away as his signature finish latched onto the end of a cross from Malone. However, Butland got his body in the way and the ball bounced just inches in front of the goalline.

The equaliser came five minutes into the half from a free-kick won by Bogle on the edge of the box. Wilson stepped up and curled beautifully into the top left corner.

Ince gave the Potters the lead again when Clucas squared to him to put it into the net.

Fikayo Tomori, who replaced an injured Curtis Davies towards the end of the first-half got on the end of Mason Mount’s corner but again Butland was there to make the stop.

The Rams continued to push for an equaliser as the Potters sat back. Lawrence had another shot on target as he hit it a clearance by Ryan Woods on the volley which Butland palmer over.

Stoke City: Butland; Martina, Shawcross, Williams, Pieters; Etebo, Woods, Allen; Ince (Edwards,90), Berahino (Afobe, 80), Clucas (McClean, 74)

Unused Subs: Federici, Martins Indi, Fletcher, Crouch

Derby County: Carson; Bogle, Keogh, Davies (Tomori, 45), Malone; Johnson (Huddlestone, 46), Mount, Bryson (Waghorn, 71); Lawrence, Marriott, Wilson

Unused Subs: Jozefzoon, Roos, Nugent, Bird

UP NEXT…

The Rams return to Pride Park Stadium on Saturday when they host Swansea City, kick-off 3pm.