Derby County’s Carabao Cup Round One tie at fellow Sky Bet Championship side West Bromwich Albion was settled from the penalty spot following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes - with goalkeeper Josh Vickers the hero to see the Rams through on Tuesday night.

The hosts took the lead through Aune Heggebø's close-range finish in the 66th minute in what was a tight affair at the Hawthorns.

Substitute Lennon Wheeldon came close to equalising moments later for Derby, but his header went just wide of the post.

After late pressure, Joe Ward levelled the tie deep into added time with a wickedly struck free kick from the left flank which flew into the top corner.

The shoot-out was won 3-2 by Derby, with Josh Vickers making two saves and the hosts also hitting the post, to book their place in Round Two.

Key Moments

Summer signings David Ozoh, Andi Weimann, Bobby Clark and Dion Sanderson made their first starts of the campaign at the Hawthorns after being on the bench for the 3-1 loss at Stoke City on Saturday with the Rams making nine changes from the clash against the Potters.

Another of the starters was defender Jake Rooney in his first competitive outing since suffering a serious knee injury just under two years ago.

Ousmane Diakate had the first effort on target in the third minute when the hosts went on the attack and the ball was crossed to him on the edge of the box. He headed from 12 yards, but goalkeeper Vickers was able to catch the ball comfortably.

Vickers was in action again moments later when Tom Fellows ran in at the far post and struck towards the near post, but the Derby shot-stopper had it covered once more.

Both sides held prolonged spells of possession in the first 30 minutes at the Hawthorns. Derby’s interplay couldn’t break down West Brom’s defence - with attacks aimed at Bobby Clark and Dajaune Brown being stopped before either player could threaten the penalty box.

West Brom had more joy getting efforts towards goal, but again Derby were firm in defending to see the game go to the break goalless.

Callum Styles had the first chance of the second period in the 50th minute, when the Baggies left-back spun a low ball towards the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area. However, Vickers got down low to make the save.

Kenzo Goudmijn’s cross into the penalty area was begging to be steered towards goal on the hour mark, but Brown was well marshalled to prevent the chance.

Vickers had to be alert when the hosts went up the other end moments later and, after a sustained bout of pressure, Isaac Price struck towards goal - but the Rams' goalkeeper stretched to parry the ball away.

In the 63rd minute, John Eustace made four changes, with the game still deadlocked at 0-0. Danny Batth, Ben Osborn, Ebou Adams and Under-21s striker Wheeldon all came onto the pitch with Ozoh, Sanderson, Weimann and Clark making way.

West Brom took the lead in the 66th minute after a ball over the top was headed on to Heggebø in the box, who steered the ball into the net from close range.

Wheeldon came agonisingly close to an immediate reply when he got his head to Ward’s cross, but the ball flew just wide of the near post.

Kayden Jackson was Derby’s next change as they chased an equaliser, with Brown departing.

Jackson livened up Derby’s play as they held the ball higher upfield. The attacker won the ball down the right and crossed in to force two scrambles in the box, but the hosts were able to clear the danger on both occasions.

Derby won multiple set pieces in the final minute of normal time, but West Brom cleared their lines.

Ward’s cross from deep nearly found the outstretched boot of Wheeldon deep in added time, but the striker couldn’t get a touch to the ball and former Rams goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith was able to gather in the Albion net.

It looked like Albion would be through, but Adams' tenacity won a free-kick on the left flank deep into added time and Ward, making his first start since December 2024 after overcoming a long-term knee issue, stepped up with a sublime effort to find the top corner to level the match and take it to penalties.

Goudmijn scored from the spot for Derby before Jed Wallace’s effort was saved by Josh Vickers, and Ben Osborn’s penalty hit the frame of the goal and bounced out. Josh Maja kept it to 1-0 to Derby as he also hit the woodwork.

Jackson doubled Derby’s shoot-out advantage before Alex Mowatt got West Brom’s first penalty goal on the board.

Ward’s effort was saved by Wildsmith to keep it at 2-1 to Derby. Jayson Molumby took his chance well to level the shoot-out, and Adams followed suit for Derby by scoring.

Karlan Grant’s effort was saved by Vickers and Derby secured qualification for Round Two with a 3-2 spot-kick win.

The Teams

West Bromwich Albion: Wildsmith (GK), Williams, Campbell, Taylor, Styles, Diakate, Mowatt (C), Fellows, Price (Molumby 79), Johnston (Grant 87), Heggebø (Maja 79).

Unused Substitutes: Griffiths (GK), Phillips, Deeming, Whitwell, Cole.

Derby County: Vickers (GK), Forsyth (C), Weimann (Adams 63), Goudmijn, Ozoh (Osborn 63), Elder, Rooney, Ward, Sanderson (Batth 63), Brown (Jackson 69), Clark (Wheeldon 63).

Unused Substitutes: O’Donnell (GK), L. Thompson, Eames, I. Gordon.