Luke McNally's first-half goal ensured Derby County's troubling away form continued as Bristol City secured a narrow 1-0 victory at Ashton Gate.

The Rams had started brightly and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing saw a deflected shot turned around the post as they hunted an early breakthrough. Kane Wilson then produced a fine cross that was met by Marcus Harness who steered a header just wide.

But just as Paul Warne's side were building some momentum, Derby fell behind when McNally got the better of Kane Wilson at the back post to volley a free-kick beyond Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.

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Callum Elder then produced a wonderful tackle to deny Anis Mehmeti just as he looked to add a second for the hosts. Derby returned fire through a Wilson header that was tipped over the bar before Jerry Yates just couldn't convert a Curtis Nelson header from a corner. And as the game drew to half-time, Harness flashed a shot over the bar. Warne made a change at half-time with Kayden Jackson being replaced by Ben Osborn in the hope of finding an equaliser.

But the second half proved to be boring affair with neither side creating much in the way of chances with Haydon Roberts flashing a shot wide of the post as the Robins clinched all three points.

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom: Looked like he could do better with the goal and sometimes is in too much of a rush to release the ball when Derby aren't quite ready for it. Hardly called into action. 5

Kane Wilson: A game in which perhaps summed his qualities and his deficiencies. Looked bright going forward and saw a header tipped over. Couldn't deal with McNally for the goal which was from a set-piece. Faded in the second half. 5

Curtis Nelson: Rattled into a few early challenges early on and seemed to rattle Anis Mehmeti. Was strong in the first half and had one header that had it been touched by Yates would have probably hauled Derby level. 5.5

Nat Phillips: Didn't give much change to the City attack throughout the 90 minutes. Always kept his cool and made a classy tackle in the second half. Did everything that was asked of him. 8

Callum Elder: Made a superb tackle to thwart Mehmeti in the first half when it looked to be a certain goal. Was a good outlet going forward and couldn't fault his effort. 7

Kenzo Goudmijn: Played more of a deeper role in the absence of Adams and did okay. Was comfortable in possession which he needed to be in his position. 5

Liam Thompson: Invested the usual energy you expect from him, but needed more from him in possession and got out muscled on a couple of occasions. Struggled to leave an impact on this game. 4.5

Marcus Harness: Got into the box when the chance came and was a whisker away with a header in the first half and then fired over with another good chance in the first half. 5

Kayden Jackson: Just had an afternoon when nothing seemed to go right for him and found it hard to make an indent on the City defence. Was replaced at half-time. 4

Jerry Yates: Tried to unsettle the Robins' defence but did not have a strike at goal and it was a tough afternoon for the striker in terms of chances and struggled after the break. 4.5

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing: Form continues to fluctuate and the winger had a chance in the first half which forced the goalkeeper into a save. That was about as good as it got. Some of his work was untidy. 4.5

Subs

Ben Osborn (Jackson 45): City closed him down every time he had the ball and he struggled in the time he was on the pitch. 3

Tawanda Chirewa (Goudmijn 63): Either gave the ball away or fouled. Miles off it. 2

Dajaune Brown (Harness 71): Huffed and puffed. 4

Craig Forsyth (Thompson 73): Slotted in at centre-back. 4

James Collins (Mendez-Laing 88): Barely enough time to make an impression. N/A

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