Derby County: Prijovic's late show ensures Rams have final say

ALEKSANDER Prijovic grabbed a winner 10 minutes from time to give Derby County a 3-2 victory over Matlock Town in last night's friendly at Causeway Lane.

Arnaud Mendy and Greg Mills scored for the Rams in the first half but the UniBond Premier Division side twice equalised through Nathan Benger, his second came 10 minutes after the break.

But the Rams had the final say when Prijovic lifted the ball over Martin Duberry after latching onto a long pass from Jermaine Johnson.

Ben Pringle, who has impressed since signing from Ilkeston Town, started in central midfield and Luke Varney was up front with Prijovic.

Senior players Roy Carroll, Martin Albrechtsen and Jordan Stewart were also in.

Danny Davidson had an early sight of goal for the home side but he lifted the ball over, and Jake Buxton and Stewart had to produce tidy pieces of defending in the early minutes.

At the other end, Prijovic headed wide from Albrechtsen's centre before Derby went ahead on 14 minutes.

Mendy side-footed in from close range after Varney twisted and turned his marker only to see his shot rebound of a post.

Varney deserved better luck because he has been a willing worker in attack all pre-season, and often in a lone striking role.

Prijovic wasted a chance to double the lead when his weak shot was easily gathered by Paul Pettinger. The Serbian striker has to be more clinical in such good positions.

Ian Clarke's free kick found a hole in Derby's defensive wall and was not far wide before Matlock levelled on 28 minutes.

Gaps appeared in Derby's defence and Davidson spotted one to put Benger in and he tucked the ball wide of the advancing Carroll.

But the Rams were in front again six minutes later.

Mills worked his way down the left and almost to the byline and his finish somehow squeezed past Pettinger at his near post. It was good play by the youngster, not by the Matlock goalkeeper.

Derby's defence, particularly at its centre, looked less than certain at times and Matlock found a way through to equalise for a second time.

Benger won a strong challenge with Buxton in the area and kept his feet, and composure, to fire the ball wide of Carroll.

Derby never really got going in the second half and Matlock continued to give them problems but Prijovic had sights of goal.

His firmly struck shot was straight at Duberry and then he side-footed a volley over after being picked out by Mark Dudley's inviting centre.

Prijovic finally found the net to put Derby ahead for a third time but Matlock kept plugging away.

Carroll left his area and brought down substitute Ross Hannah. In a competitive match, the keeper would have been sent off but the referee only gave a free kick.

Steve Warne curled the free kick wide and then had the ball in the net three minutes from time only to have his effort ruled out for offside.