Preston were buoyed by their recent three game unbeaten run but were brought back down to earth quite quickly by a Derby side that played neat football but never really had to get out of second gear.
Fergie Jnr was forcd into changes with Russell suspended. He opted for a 4-4-2 with Hume playing slighlty off Parkin. Josh King, to the surprise of many started out on the left wing with Coutts and Barton in the centre. Brown, still injured did not play meanin Morgan continued in defence.
The game was effectively over before half time. Derby held onto the ball well without creating any clear cut chances. However, after raiding down the left, Moxey put in a cross - or at least everyone thought it was a cross. We'll never know if he meant it but the cross turned out to be a shot which caught Lonergan out at the near post. The keeper could only push it into the net. If it was a shot then fair play!
Preston then struggled and within moments were two down. They failed to clear the ball in their box with a game of head tennis. Bueno nodded home from three yards out with a free header. At that point the fans feared for the worst.
Derby appeared to settle for the two goal margin and didn't really push for the third. If they had, Preston probably would have capitulated. North End came out on the front foot in the second half with Treacy forcing the keeper into a save from long range.
The visiting side huffed and puffed but couldn't grab a goal. The closest was when St Ledger turned in the box from close range only to fire his left footed shot straight at the keeper.
The best chance of the second half fell to one time Preston target, Kris Commons. Played clear through he curled his left foot shot wide of the post. Derby did get their third in injury time when Treacy chasing back pulled down a Derby defender in the box. THe winger was sent off and Savage converted the penalty.
Treacy now faces a suspension which probably could have been avoided - Preston had lost the game and the winger just slid in when potentially he could have held back. Preston's player of the season so far will leave a gap that will be hard to fill.