Match Report: Derby County 2-1 Bolton Wanderers

Derby County tightened their grip on fourth spot in Sky Bet League One following an impressive 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers.

Substitute Kieran Sadlier scored a last minute consolation for the visitors but goals from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Conor Hourihane were enough to seal all three points for the Rams.

Major Moments

There was an electric atmosphere surrounding Pride Park from the off with the 30,000 strong in attendance making their voices heard.

The Rams started the brighter and had an early shout for a penalty in the opening five minutes when David McGoldrick went down in the box but the referee was unmoved.

A lovely passage of play between McGoldrick, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Haydon Roberts resulted in the latter stinging the palms of James Trafford in what was the first save of the game.

The Rams took a well deserved lead with just a quarter of an hour played and it was Mendez-Laing finishing off a lovely team move. Korey Smith found Tom Barkhuizen down the right and he whipped a delicious cross in for his wing-partner to finish first-time past the diving Trafford.

The goalscoring combination nearly reversed their roles to make it two just before the break. This time it was Mendez-Laing who stood a lovely cross up into the box and Barkhuizen rose highest to win the ball but his header was straight at Trafford.

Paul Warne's men continued to threaten a second as Barkhuizen saw a goal-bound shot blocked before Jason Knight flicked an effort just wide of the post.

It took Bolton until the 45th minute mark to muster their first attempt on target when Kieran Lee flicked a Will Aimson cross goalward but it fell comfortably straight into the arms of Joe Wildsmith.

The visitors came into the match more following the break but chances became harder to come by - for both sides.

Derby made their chance count when it came though and they did so in emphatic fashion. A free-flowing move between Max Bird, Barkhuizen and Hourihane saw the latter burst through on goal and fire superbly into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Haydon Roberts nearly made it three when he headed a cross from Mendez-Laing just wide of the right-hand-post as the Rams continued to press and not rest on their laurels.

Sadlier scored a consolation for the hosts with seconds remaining but the Rams held on for a well deserved three points.

The result moves Warne's side onto 47 points - nine clear of Peterborough United in seventh place.

Attendance: 30,004 (3,139 Bolton Wanderers fans)

The Teams

Derby County: Wildsmith (GK), Forsyth, Hourihane, Barkhuizen (75' Springett), Bird (C), McGoldrick (74' Collins), Mendez-Laing (82' Dobbin), Smith, Roberts, Davies, Knight (88' Thompson)

Substitutes: Loach (GK), Stearman, Rooney

Bolton Wanderers: Trafford (GK), Johnston, Charles, Nlundulu (73' Kachunga), Aimson, Morley, Toal, Lee (C) (63' Shoretire), Bradley, Dempsey, Williams (87' Sadlier)

Substitutes: Sheehan, Williams, Santos, Jones

What's Next Up?

It's a quick turnaround for the Rams as they travel to Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday evening to take on Port Vale in Sky Bet League One action (7:45pm kick-off).