GARY Teale dedicated Derby County's much-needed victory over Coventry City to manager Nigel Clough.

The pressure had been building on the Rams after a run of three straight defeats.

Leon Best's fourth-minute opener for Coventry at Pride Park on Friday night did nothing to help matters for the home side.

But they fought back to win 2-1 thanks to a second-half brace from striker Rob Hulse.

"I think there was a feeling of relief, with the way results have been going for us," said Teale (pictured right).

"And we really wanted to get back to winning ways for the gaffer. Everything he has done since he came in has been brilliant. He keeps believing and wants us to play good football, and pass the ball from the back.

"We saw that at Ipswich, when I thought we should have won, and against Coventry.

"He just wants to make sure everyone is confident and wants the ball, at every time in the game. I'm delighted for him that we got the win."

Teale was pleased with the Rams' response after the blow of conceding an early goal.

"Even though we went a goal behind, we had the belief to come back and get the result," said the winger.

"It could have been hard to come back, especially at home. The fans are great but they seem to jump on everybody's backs for the smallest thing.

"So you need to lift them and keep them on your side.

"I felt we started well but then lost a sloppy goal.

"After that, we dominated the match. We had chances and crosses and everything else. We had the belief that we were going to get back into the game."

Teale gave full-back Jordan Clarke a torrid time before the teenager was sent off for a second bookable offence immediately after Derby went 2-1 up.

"It's about everyone wanting the ball and it helps you get 30 or 40 yards further up the pitch," Teale added.

"And that makes me a threat, being 40 yards further up the pitch in the final third, rather than picking it up at the halfway line.

"That makes your job a bit more difficult but if you can get in that final third, even if you're not going by him, you've got a chance of winning a corner or a throw-in."

With Coventry down to 10 men, the margin of victory could have been greater, particularly with Hulse being denied a hat-trick when his late penalty was saved.

"We maybe could have scored four or five," said Teale. "Hulsey's two goals were magnificent and he had a chance to get his hat-trick with a penalty but the keeper saved it.

"Then, when the board went up with five minutes of injury time, you do think, 'oh no'.

"With the way results have been, you tend to be a bit nervous and start slapping the clearances when you should be keeping the ball."

Teale hailed the influence of two-goal hero Hulse, who took his season's tally to five with two excellent finishes.

"I thought his first finish was outstanding," Teale added. "He took it on his chest and with his next touch the ball is in the back of the net.

"Then his second one, he just kept it low and it was a good finish. It just shows you how important he is to the team."