Match Report: Derby County 3-2 Burton Albion

Derby County made it back-to-back wins in Sky Bet League One after a dramatic and late 3-2 home victory over Burton Albion at Pride Park Stadium.

Tom Barkhuizen and James Collins had given the Rams a two-goal lead but the visitors fought back with goals from Steve Seddon and Joe Hugill.

The game looked to be heading for a frustrating draw but captain Conor Hourihane struck midway through seven minutes of stoppage time to secure a big three points for Paul Warne's side.

Key Moments

The Rams started well on home turf and forced the first shot within the opening two minutes. Neat interplay between Collins and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing down the left saw the former cross for Hourihane whose half-volley grazed the top of the crossbar on the way over.

A free-kick from the left then saw Hourihane turn to being provider when he delivered a pinpoint ball for defender Curtis Nelson. The centre-back got ahead of his man but could only head over the crossbar from close range.

The Rams should have taken the lead before the half-hour mark following a rapid breakaway.

Tyreece John-Jules nicked the ball in midfield and set Mendez-Laing free down the right. The winger raced in behind and saw his shot saved before Barkhuizen couldn't connect with the rebound and Callum Elder saw his drilled effort stopped brilliantly by Max Crocombe.

But Derby did take a well deserved lead on 29 minutes through Barkhuizen.

John-Jules won a flick-on in midfield which allowed Mendez-Laing to race down the right before squaring the ball on a plate to his fellow winger to tap home from close range.

Derby went in at the break a goal to the good and former Ram Mason Bennett headed over for the visitors at the start of the second period as the Brewers looked to find a quick response.

But it was Derby that took a two goal lead within five minutes of the restart through Collins.

Barkhuizen stepped up as provider for Derby's number nine when he headed a Elder cross back across goal for Collins to power a header of his own beyond Crocombe for his 17th goal of the season.

With the Rams looking comfortable, the Brewers halved the deficit out of nowhere. Seddon picked up the ball on halfway and progressed towards goal before firing a superb low effort from 20-yards that found the bottom corner to put the visitors right back in the contest.

And the game was level on 66 minutes through substitute Hugill. A hopeful punt up field saw the Manchester United loanee through on goal after Elder had slipped on halfway and he kept his cool to slide beyond Josh Vickers in the Derby goal.

The Rams nearly responded instantly with a goal of their own when Mendez-Laing found Barkhuizen for a second time but the latter's effort was deflected agonisingly wide.

Collins had a glorious chance to win the game with less than five minutes remaining after a recycled ball fell kindly to him six-yards out but he sliced his effort wide on the volley.

But the Rams didn't give up and found a dramatic winner midway through seven additional minutes.

Kane Wilson saw an effort blocked on the edge of the area but it ricocheted kindly to Hourihane who fired home a peach of an effort from 20-yards out to secure a huge three points and send the home fans wild.

Attendance

25,580 (1,079 Burton Albion fans)

The Teams

Derby County: Vickers (GK), Wilson, Hourihane (C), Cashin, Barkhuizen (90' Bradley), Bird, Collins, Mendez-Laing, John-Jules (85' Thompson), Elder (72' Sibley), Nelson.

Substitutes not used: Wildsmith (GK), Ward, Fornah, Brown.

Burton Albion: Crocombe (GK), Brayford (C), Seddon (80' Carayol), Oshilaja, Sweeney, Powell, Bennett (62' Hugill), Moon, Lubala (83' Harper), Caprice, Gilligan (62' Helm).

Substitutes not used: Blackman (GK), Scott, Tamen.