CRAIG Bryson missed a great chance to break the deadlock as Derby County and Millwall played out a goalless first half at The Den.

The Scottish midfielder shot wide from close range after Jamie Ward's shot had only been parried by Lions keeper David Forde after 36 minutes in an evenly-contested opening period.

Nathan Tyson was handed his third start of the season for the Rams but player of the year John Brayford (thigh) missed out after picking up a knock in training.

Tyson - fit again after a groin problem - replaced Ryan Noble in the side, while Paul Green filled in at right-back in the absence of Brayford.

Both sides lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, Derby with Ward on the right, Tyson on the left and Callum Ball through the middle.

Millwall started brightly but were restricted to long-range efforts from James Henry and Josh Wright, while Darius Henderson floated a free kick into the wall after Liam Trotter had been felled just outside the box by Tyson.

The Rams settled into the game and began to enjoy more of the ball as the half went on.

In the 22nd minute, Ward caught Wright in possession on the left and fed Ball, who rolled a shot across the face of goal from a tough angle.

Just before the half-hour, Henry's corner from the right was headed narrowly wide by returning Millwall skipper Paul Robinson.

Derby missed a golden chance to open the scoring in the 36th minute.

Ward's effort from outside the area bounced awkwardly in front of Forde, who could only push the ball out to Bryson but the midfielder side-footed wide from six yards with the goal at his mercy.

The action swung from end to end in a frenetic finish to the opening period, with bookings dished out to Trotter, Jason Shackell and Wright - the latter for bringing down Tyson in full flow as the Rams counter-attacked in numbers.