John Brayford, Craig Bryson and Jamie Ward joined Will Hughes on the injury list and that saw Nigel Clough having to make several changes to the starting line up.
Coming in for his first ever start was Valentin Gjokaj at Right Back rather than his natural centre half position due to the absence of Brayford and Keiron Freeman. Such is the length of the injury list, Clough was only able to name five substitutes. Craig Forsyth a loan signing from Watford was brought straight into the starting eleven.
Gjokaj had a very satisfying debut and the Rams overall can take much credit from this game, although they might have gone home with all three points.
Chris Martin found the net in the first half and was harshly denied his first goal by the officials who decided it was offside. Many thought that he was onside when the pass was played to him.
Another Derby attempt by Hendrick appeared to be blocked on the line by the arm of Nugent, but again the officials denied The Rams.
After some early pressure by the hosts in the second half Derby continued to attack their hosts and in the 75th minute they were rewarded when a Davies cross was met by Conor Sammon who belted the ball into the corner of the net.
The lead lasted for a little over six minutes as Noone snatched an equaliser when a sky high ball proved too high for the Derby defence to get hold of and Noone knocked the loose ball in from close range.
Most Derby fans would have happily settled for a draw pre-game, however the performance deserved all three points.
Derby County: Legzdins; Gjokaj, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts; Davies, Coutts, Hendrick, Forsyth (Jacobs 71); Martin, Sammon. Subs not used: Fielding, Hoganson, Bennett, Doyle.
Cardiff City: Marshall; Connolly, Nugent, Turner, Taylor; Gunnarsson, Whittingham, Smith (Noone 72), Conway (Gestede 84); Campbell, Helguson (Mason 76). Subs not used: Lewis, McNaughton, Cowie, Kim.
Man of the Match - Connor Sammon
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