Watford Take II

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Rams striker Chris Porter` second game since return from a long-term injury saw him score with a second-half header which gave Derby their first win away from home this season against Watford at Vicarage Road.

Porter, who had suffered a hip injury in March, came on as a 63rd minute substitute to score his first goal since the same month.

Rams boss Clough said of their first win on their travels: 'It's been a long, long wait for it but for the three performances we've put in this week we've deserved to win at least one of those games.

We`ve been playing reasonably well. We just needed that break and we played some very silky football on the pitch.'

Clough was talking to Radio Derby, he also praised the defence, particularly full backs Paul Connolly and Jay McEveley for helping keeper Stephen Bywater hold a clean sheet as well as gain a win.

We looked solid, we restricted an extremely good attacking side to very few opportunities and then we looked relatively dangerous ourselves.'

The first half provided few chances for both teams but there were nevertheless threatening chances to both goals.

A poor clearance from Bywater nearly gave the hosts the lead on four minutes but Danny Graham failed to score putting his shot wide.

Paul Connolly had one of the best Derby chances early on but a tame header went over the bar from Robbie Savage`s free kick.

Bywater made amends for his earlier error in first half injury time, stopping Heidar Helguson's seemingly goal-bound shot.

Things started to pick up in the second half with DJ Campbell prodding high and wide before Bywater saved a 25-yard free-kick from Watford midfielder Tom Cleverley.

With the opposition having most of the possession, Clough decided to bring on Porter for Campbell which was a decision while surprising soon paid off.

Lee Hendrie curled a free-kick from the left to the far post where Porter rose above the Watford defence to head home from close range on 77 minutes.

The Rams could have lost their lead 2 minutes into injury time but John Eustace just curled over the bar from just inside the penalty area.

But Porter`s header was enough to give the Rams only their sixth away goal of the season and the eventual result earned them their sixth away point.

The Rams only move up to 17th but are currently eight points clear of the relegation zone giving the side a big morale boost towards the Christmas period.

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