Derby began the game desperate for revenge after Kerry Mayo's late winner against them at Withdean and did so courtesy of a dubious penalty decision.

Danny Higginbotham put the Rams ahead after half an hour from the penalty spot after the falling Adam Hinshelwood was inexplicably adjudged to have impeded Morris.

John Gregory's side had the better of the first half and were only denied a second goal by some brilliant goalkeeping by Kuipers.

Albion struggled to create any meaningful chances in the opening 45 minutes, but the second half was a different tale as Coppell reverted to 4-4-2 in search of an eqauliser.

The Derby fans became increasingly restless as their team struggled to keep Albion at bay, but in the end Steve Coppell's side could find no way through.

The Albion fans were in good voice before the kick-off on a damp, misty and bitterly cold day in the East Midlands.

Carpenter, under no real pressure from Barton's centre, headed behind to present Derby with a corner inside the opening minute.

It was taken by Burley, Derby's unsettled Scottish International midfielder, and headed powerfully away by Cullip.

Burley tried his luck from a free-kick in a central position 30 yards out after he had been impeded by Rodger, but his shot deflected off a well populated wall.

Burley, back in the side recently after a long absence with injury, was at the heart of things for the home side.

His well struck effort from 25 yards forced Kuipers into a fine diving stop.

The big Dutchman, outstanding in the second half against Ipswich, kept the ball out with a strong right hand.

Derby continued to hold the upper hand in the early stages. Kuipers was well positioned to catch an instant shot by Christie from McLeod's short diagonal pass.

Barton, the Derby captain, then reacted quicker than Jones before dipping a shot narrowly over the bar from outside the box.

A foul by Elliott on Zamora 25 yards out gave the Seagulls their first real chance to put some pressure on Grant, Derby's England Under 20 custodian.

Pethick's resulting free-kick, taken with a long run-up, almost fell at the feet of Zamora in a packed penalty area before Boertien cleared the danger.

Derby played a 5-3-2 system in their defeat at Withdean, but that has become 3-4-3 at home with Boertien and Barton pushing on down the flanks.

That made it very difficult for Jones and Hinshelwood to get forward for Albion to support the midfield and front men.

Albion fell behind to a hotly disputed penalty decision by referee Paul Rejer in the 29th minute.

Burley launched a rather hopeful high ball through the inside left channel.

The speedy Morris, pursuing Hinshelwood, began to catch the Albion youngster up as he tried to deal with the situation inside the area.

The falling Hinshelwood did not appear to make any significant contact with Morris, but Rejer penalised him and Higginbotham scored from the spot.

It was hard to see why Rejer made the decision. The only other plausible explanation was that he spotted a handling offence by Hinshelwood as he went to ground.

Either way it was an unfortunate setback for Albion after they had defended solidly to that point.

The problem was they were struggling to get forward themselves and provide any sort of service for Zamora and Barrett.

A break in play while Higginbotham received treatment gave Cullip an opportunity to probe referee Rejer for an explanation for the penalty award.

When play resumed Albion were grateful to Kuipers for preventing the deficit from doubling.

Higginbotham's ball into the box was headed square by Hinshelwood only as far as McLeod. He set up Barton for a rasping drive which Kuipers kept out at full stretch.

Even better followed from the Albion keeper as Derby tried to press home their advantage before the interval.

Riggott met Burley's free-kick from the right flank with a firm downward header which had goal written all over it until Kuipers somehow managed to stop it with his right hand.

Grant was looking less convincing on the rare occasions that he was called into the action.

He was unable to hold a low 25 yarder from Carpenter, but the linesman flagged for offside to ruin Albion's expectations of a corner.

The manner in which Derby had achieved their lead was galling, but Albion could have no complaints at all about being behind at half time. Only the brilliance of Kuipers had kept them in touch.

Half-Time: Derby 1 Albion 0.

Derby made two changes for the second half, Mills replacing Higginbotham and Murray, fresh from a midweek hat-trick in the Reserves against West Ham, coming on for Lee.

This meant Barton moving into the middle of the central defensive trio, with Mills taking up his position on the right side of midfield.

Carpenter, who had Albion's only shot on target in the first half, tested Grant with a low drive from 30 yards right at the start of the second half, which the young keeper diverted for a corner.

A rare Albion break was spoilt by a cross from Jones for Zamora, which was comfortably cut out by Grant after Barrett had found freedom down the left.

Pethick ventured forward moments later to fire a shot straight at Grant.

The Seagulls were at last offering a threat as Zamora headed over from Barrett's left wing centre.

Albion had by now changed to 4-4-2, with Mayo as an orthodox leftback and Sidwell much further advanced on the right side of midfield.

Coppell introduced Brooker for Jones on the left on 62 minutes to build on the positive momentum.

The rain was by now sweeping across the stadium and the adjustments by Albion had put a dampener on Derby's first half domination.

The Derby fans were becoming increasingly agitated by the changing complexion of the contest.

Grant's clearance from a backpass by the accomplished Riggott ricocheted off Barrett before Zamora was crowded out.

Zamora, fresh from a stunning sixth League goal of the season against Ipswich, had been kept relatively quiet, but he almost equalised midway through the second half.

Albion's talisman held off Elliott to hit an angled right foot shot from 12 yards which Grant parried at the expense of a corner.

Albion made another positive substitution, Hart coming on for Carpenter. Hart went on to the right wing, with Sidwell moving back inside.

Albion were running out of time and Zamora allowed his frustration to get the better of him, picking up a booking for dissent.