DERBY will arrive at St Mary's on Saturday looking for a sixth successive league win.

Steven Howard's 12th goal of the season gave the Rams a 1-0 home win over Burnley last night - the sixth time in seven league and cup games that Derby have notched up a one-goal sucess.

Burnley ended with 10 men and both managers, Billy Davies and Steve Cotterill, were sent off.

Cotterill lambasted the decision of referee Mike Riley to send both him and Djemba-Djemba off at the end of the game.

Djemba-Djemba received a second yellow in the 90th minute and Cotterill was also given his marching orders after a confrontation with Mo Camara.

Davies, whose side are now six points clear at the top after Birmingham's shock home loss to struggling Southend, was sent to the stands early in the second half for dissent towards Riley.

Cotterill said: ''I don't think that warrants another yellow card.

''That was harsh because we were 90-odd minutes in and he's an experienced referee. The game was competitive but fair and that decision was ridiculous.

''That was a Premiership sending-off. I took exception to Mo Camara pushing Kyle Lafferty, so I said 'What are you pushing him for?' and I get sent off for that.

''They'll say somewhere along the line I used some language - no chance.

''Do we take the passion out of the game - because if we do the fans'll stop coming.

''Did Djemba-Djemba deserve to be sent off? No. Did Billy Davies? No".

Davies - who was also sent to the stands during Derby's win at Southend earlier this month - declined to attend the post-match press conference.

But first-team coach Julian Darby admitted he was happy to keep winning games by a narrow margin - the Rams have now won six games 1-0 in their last seven league and cup matches.

"I take a 1-0, I take a 5-4," said Darby "If we keep a clean sheet we know we can score some goals.

"The back five are looking organised and controlled."