Blues secured a dramatic late victory at Pride Park this afternoon as Stephen Clemence's goal sent Steve Bruce's side home to the West Midlands with maximum points.

Blues showed great battling qualities in a game of few chances and deserved the luck they received with the decisive goal.

Clemence hit the post with his deflected shot and then the ball appeared to strike the back of Grant before bouncing back into the net.

The healthy contingent of travelling fans should also be credited for their magnificent vociferous support of the team following a difficult month for Bruce and his charges.

Blues made six changes to the team that lost to Norwich on Tuesday night.

Bruno N'Gotty, Olivier Tebily, Fabrice Muamba, Neil Danns, Cameron Jerome and DJ Campbell all lost their places with the latter three named amongst the substitutes.

Damien Johnson returned following his three-game ban, Nicklas Bendtner was back after injury and Stephen Kelly, Martin Taylor, Mehdi Nafti and Clemence all earned recalls.

Bruce opted to play Bendtner in the lone striker role with David Dunn playing just off the Danish front man.

After a quiet opening to the game Derby debutant Jon Stead, on loan from Sunderland, had the first real chance but his 20-yard effort flew well over.

Stead threatened again moments later but was prevented from getting in a shot by an excellent last ditch tackle from Kelly.

Blues' first real opening of the game came courtesy of a goalkeeping error from Grant.

The Derby shot stopper somehow dropped what should have been a bread and butter cross from McSheffrey straight to the feet of Dunn.

But just when the former Blackburn man looked like he had the simple job of tapping the ball into an empty net, Grant was able to reach out an arm and take the ball off Dunn's feet and away from danger.

Midway through the first half in-form Steven Howard, who had scored five goals in the last seven games, saw a header deflected wide for a corner.

Blues received a big blow soon afterwards when Dunn was forced to leave the action after pulling up with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Cameron Jerome.

Blues then had their best chance of the game so far when Bendtner charged goalwards but saw his shot pushed out for a corner by Grant.

Arturo Lupoli had an effort easily saved by Maik Taylor and then Clemence picked up the first booking of the game for his lunge into the back of Stead.

Lupoli was inches away from connecting to a dangerous in-swinging cross from Morten Bisgaard as the Rams continued to press.

But at the other end the impressive Bendtner almost created the opening goal when his forging run and delightful back heel set up Jerome with a great chance but the substitute's effort lacked sufficient power to trouble Grant.

Blues were cursing their luck again when Bendtner directed a near post corner goalwards but his effort struck Grant's left hand post.

Martin Taylor showed great commitment to block a Lupoli shot as a relatively uneventful first half drew to a close.

Although Blues' workmanlike performance in the opening 45 minutes was source for encouragement as the teams headed for the changing rooms.

Half-time: 0-0

Howard blasted over early in the second half and Nafti was even further away with an ambitious effort at the other end.

Blues looked lively at the start of the second half with McSheffrey going close with a shot that was deflected towards the far post but Johnson could not redirect the ball back across the goal.

Bisgaard then latched on to Howard's header but his low shot crashed against the outside of the post.

Jerome was presented with a great chance to score when set up by McSheffrey but the striker lost control of the ball at the vital moment and the opportunity was gone.

At the opposite end Taylor had to be alert to turn aside a shot from Bisgaard.

Marc Edworthy's looped cross then found Howard at the far post and although the big striker was first to the ball he could not get the power to beat Taylor.

Blues took the lead with just five minutes remaining after an excellent passing move.

Bendtner, Kelly and McSheffrey were all involved to set up Clemence with a chance to shoot from 25 yards.

The midfielder's shot took a wicked deflection that took the ball over Grant but it struck the post only to rebound back off the Derby keeper and into the net to the delight of the Blues fans behind the goal.

Clemence celebrated wildly with his team mates in front of the visiting contingent as Blues' wait for a victory finally ended in dramatic style.

Blues had to survive a late scare when Adam Bolder had a shot defected wide for a corner and the subsequent kick created chaos in the box with home keeper Grant sent up into the area.

But after a skirmish, the ball landed on top of the net to the relief of the visitors.

The Blues players left the field to a great reception from the travelling fans, who chanted the manager's name.

Derby: Lee Grant, Marc Edworthy, Mo Camara, Adam Bolder, Michel Johnson, Morten Bisgaard, Steve Howard, Jon Stead, Arturo Lupoli (Giles Barnes 75), Seth Johnson, Darren Moore.
Subs not used: Richard Jackson, Ryan Smith, Paul Boertien, Stephen Bywater.

Blues: Maik Taylor, Stephen Kelly, Radhi Jaidi, Martin Taylor, Mat Sadler, Damien Johnson, Stephen Clemence, Mehdi Nafti (Sebastian Larsson 82), Gary McSheffrey (Neil Danns 88), Nicklas Bendtner, David Dunn (Cameron Jerome 24).
Subs not used: Colin Doyle, DJ Campbell.
Goal: Clemence
Bookings: Clemence (29), Kelly (81), Larsson (90)

Referee: U Rennie

Attendance: 25,673 (2,476 Blues fans)