Rory Delap, making his return to Pride Park after his £4m transfer during the summer was relegated to the substitutes bench following his seven-hour flight from Iran on Thursday.

It meant a start in midfield for Swede Anders Svenson.

Also on the substitutes bench was Ecuador captain Kleber Chala who was signed by Saints for £1m on Friday and there was also a place on the bench for Matthew Le Tissier who played 90 minutes for the reserves in their defeat to Wimbledon on Monday.

Carbone very nearly opened Derby's account with a spectacular effort. New signing Francois Grenet controlled a raking crossfield pass on the right-wing and sent it towards Carbone who cleverly flicked up the ball and then tried his luck with an overhead effort which just bobbled past Paul Jones' right-hand post.

Derby, playing with a flexible five man midfield produced much of the early running. Paul Williams, a former Derby player, put in one clattering challenege which left Carbone grounded.

Then Dodd was in the wars when g Burley lofted a high cross into the Saintsskipper went for and was hit by a late challenge from Zavagno.

But after weathering the early storm Saints soon got into their stride. After five minutes Bridge found space down the left and he sent in a low cross towards Beattie on the six-yard box which Riggott cleared.

Then Dodd pressed forward on the right flank with Beattie once again the target man only this time goalkeeper Poom collected the ball at the second attempt under a challenge from the Saints marksman.

Saints should have gone in front after ten minutes when Bridge centred low to Telfer whose first time, left-footed shot from ten yards clipped the bar.

After a patient build-up Pahars found space on the edge of the area and swivelled to put in a left foot shot which lacked pace and was claimed by Poom diving to his left.

Twice Higginbotham was forced to clear his lines under a pressing challenge from Beatti. Pahars was industrious and after 21 minutes the little Latvian was fouled by Zavagno 25-yards out and from the free-kick Telfer swung in a centre but it deceived three Saints players and drifted harmlessly wide.

After 24m inutes Saints went behind to one of the most bizarre goals you will see all season. Dodd conceded a corner which Burley swung in towards the penalty spot and into the path of Beattie who swung at the ball was only able to hoof up and under towards his own goal. The ball seemed to be going out of play then it somehow bit and bounced on the goal-line and Youl MAWENE prodded it home from close range.

It was rough justice on Gordon Strachan's side who were just beginning to grab a stranglehold on the game.

Back came Saints in quick-fire fashion and the ball fell from a half hearted clearance to Svensson whose first-time left-foot drive on target was saved low down by Poom.

After 29 minutes Pahars won Saints first corner of the game, but Svensson's flag kick was wasted and Derby countered upfield.

Moments later Derby won a succession of corners after Lundekvam had fought off a challenge from Powell.

From the first of his kicks the impressive Williams rose with Mawene heading behind, and then the second corner was met by an unchallenged Ravenelli whose headed effort was totally off-target.

Saints regained their composure well to pen Derby in their own half. Pahars and then Dodd let fly with long-range efforts at goal while a free-kick moved on the edge of the Derby area, was too clever by half as Beattie took the pass, then turned and grabbed his shot into the path of a Derby defender.

In the 41st minute Saints had their best chance so far with a clever move as Pahars headed the ball down to Marsden 30 yards out and first time he struck a sweet left-foot shot which was arrowing towards the right-hand corner only for Poom to dive full length and beat the ball away into the path of Telfer, who from an angle blasted the rebound into the side-netting.

Saints continued to pile on the pressure as Pahars nutmegged two Derby players to storm into the penalty area only to lose possession.

Right on half-time defender Williams was booked for tugging the shirt of Carbone as he threatened to burst through from halfway. Half-time:

Derby 1

Saints 0

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