Half-time: Derby County trail Crystal Palace 1-0 at the break
DERBY County trail Crystal Palace 1-0 after the first half of their Championship clash at Pride Park Stadium.
Palace took the lead through Yannick Bolasie's 13th-minute goal in an opening period filled with plenty of chances for both sides.
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John Brayford
Indeed, the Rams could count themselves unlucky not to be level at the break.
On-loan striker Chris Martin was handed his full debut as Derby manager Nigel Clough made three changes to his side following last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Watford.
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Martin replaced Michael Jacobs, while Gareth Roberts - back from a three-match ban - and Jake Buxton were recalled in defence, so Ben Davies and Michael Hoganson dropped to the bench.
Adam Legzdins was tested early on by England international Wilfried Zaha, beforwe Stephen Dobbie's low drive was deflected just wide.
Palace took the lead in slightly fortuitous style.
Skipper Mile Jedinak went into a block tackle with Jeff Hendrick inside the visitors' half and the ball flew over the Derby defence and fell into the path of Bolasie, who dribbled around Legzdins before firing home.
Derby looked shell-shocked and they had a let-off three minutes later, when Jedinak's fierce 25-yard drive crashed against the crossbar.
After regaining their composure somewhat, the Rams almost levelled in the 22nd minute.
John Brayford's low cross from the right was sliced up in the air by Kagisho Dikgacoi and Jamie Ward's neat volley was tipped around the post by Julian Speroni.
The hosts began to warm to their task and Ward's cross-shot was beaten away before Martin shot over.
Speroni was being kept busy and produced good saves to deny Craig Bryson and Martin.
Derby were knocking on the door and when Paul Coutts found John Brayford on the right, the full-back beat former Rams defender Dean Moxey only to his rising effort come back off the bar.
The home side suffered a blow just before the break when top scorer Ward limped out of the action, to be replaced by Jacobs.
Bolasie was released by Dobbie in the 44th minute but his goalbound lob over Legzdins was headed off the line by Bryson.
Moments later at the other end, Derby felt they should have had a penalty when Martin was felled by the challenge of Peter Ramage.
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