Brewers edged out in pre-season contest
Burton Albion's pre-season schedule continued as they were edged out 1-0 against Derby County at the Pirelli Stadium.
The Brewers looked in control for periods of the game but were undone by Jeff Hendrick's 43rd minute header.
Albion boss Gary Rowett handed a Jon McLaughlin his first start at the Pirelli Stadium in goal, whilst youngster Matty Palmer lined up in midfield alongside Robbie Weir. Youngsters Liam Slade, Marcus Harness and Joe Doyle were named among the substitutes.
Lucas Akins forced a save from Lee Grant with seven minutes on the clock, shooting low at the near post but Grant saved comfortably.
Albion were creating some good openings without threatening too much as Phil Edwards blazed over following good work from George Taft.
Akins again tested Grant with 25 minutes on the clock, but the Derby keeper was once again equal to his low effort.
Jamie Ward had Derby's first effort a minute later, but could only fire his shot harmlessly across the face of goal.
The Rams began to fashion chances going forward and McLaughlin could only watch as Johnny Russell headed wide from point blank range. Stuart Beavon fired wide a minute later in an encouraging first half for the striker.
For all of Burton's pressure it was Derby who took the lead just before half-time. Johnny Russell's 25 yard free-kick hit the crossbar and bounced into the path of Jeff Hendrick who headed into an empty net.
Russell almost doubled Derby's tally on the half-time mark, but his shot went over as Derby went in ahead at the break.
Derby began the second half brightly and Jeff Hendrick almost added a second, but his deflected effort hit the post and bounced away.
McLaughlin's goal was living something of a charmed life as Russell's thunderbolt cannoned off the crossbar.
The Brewers went in search of an equaliser as Robbie Weir's shot was blocked, whilst Dominic Knowles replaced the lively Beavon.
Another good Brewers chance followed a minute later as Phil Edwards teed up Adam McGurk, but his shot went well wide.
It was to be McGurk's last contribution of the evening as he was withdrawn for Alex MacDonald, with Billy Kee coming on for John Mousinho.
Kee was straight into the action as he teed up Knowles, but Grant saved well from his shot. Kee went close five minutes later as Richard Keogh blocked his shot for a corner, which came to nothing.
Highly rated youngster Will Hughes came on at half-time for the visitors and he almost added a second with 73 minutes played, dancing around challenges in the Albion box before forcing a fine save from McLaughlin.
Albion made another double change as Marcus Harness replaced Akins, with Lam Slade coming on for Ian Sharps.
Albion pressed for a deserved leveller as Knowles couldn't quite connect with Palmer's cross at the back post, whilst Joe Doyle replaced Robbie Weir in the centre of midfield.
Hendrick went close again with six minutes remaining as some patient Derby build-up found Hendrick in space from 12 yards, but his snapshot went well over.
Russell had a chance to put the game to bed in the last minute as he was set through on goal, but when faced one-on-one with McLaughlin he shot just over the bar.
He was almost made to pay for his miss as Knowles went close just after with a dipping volley, but his shot was just of target as the full-time whistle went.
BURTON ALBION: Jon McLaughlin, Phil Edwards, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, John Mousinho (sub Billy Kee 63), Ian Sharps (c)(sub Liam Slade 73), Robbie Weir (sub Joe Doyle 82), Stuart Beavon (sub Dominic Knowles 55), Lucas Akins (sub Marcus Harness 73), Adam McGurk (sub Alex MacDonald 63), Matty Palmer
Subs Not Used: Dean Lyness
DERBY COUNTY: Lee Grant, Cyrus Christie, Craig Forsythe, Craig Bryson, Jake Buxton, Richard Keogh (c), John Eustace (sub Will Hughes 46), Jeff Hendrick, Chris Martin, Jamie Ward, Johnny Russell
Subs Not Used: Lee Naylor, Kelle Roos, Mason Bennett, Kieron Freeman, Jamie Hanson, Connor Sammon, Farend Rawson, Ivan Galero, Alban Buntaku
Goals: Jeff Hendrick (43)
Booked: None
Sent Off: None
Attendance: 3,743
Referee: Steve Bratt