Carlton Morris strike guides Derby to victory over QPR

Carlton Morris grabbed his fifth goal of the season to give Derby a 1-0 victory over QPR.

It was his first goal in eight games but it was enough to send QPR to their first away defeat since they were thrashed at Coventry in August.

The visitors could have few complaints as they were careless in possession and rarely threatened Derby’s goal with Richard Kone wasting their best chance in the second half.

Rangers’ unbeaten away run had come under threat as early as the 11th minute when Derby went in front.

Max Johnston swung the ball in from the right and Sondre Langas touched it past Paul Nardi for Morris to turn the ball over the line.

It was no more than Derby deserved after an assertive start pushed the visitors back and Morris was close to a second with a header which landed on the roof of the net.

Rangers were struggling to get into the game and Nardi had to react quickly at his near post to deny Ben Brereton Diaz in the 22nd minute.

Derby’s goal came under threat for the first time in the 34th minute but Kone’s low cross was too close to Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.

At least QPR were getting in some decent positions but they could not fashion a quality opening against a well-organised defence.

It had been reasonably comfortable for Derby in the first half and little changed at the start of the second with the home side making better use of the ball.

But Rangers had their best chance in the 61st minute when Kone got away from his marker but put a free header over the bar from 10 yards.

Derby struck the woodwork twice in the space of a couple of minutes when a Johnston free-kick hit the top of the bar and then another set piece was flicked on to Brereton Diaz, who headed against the foot of a post.

Another dangerous ball flashed across the area with Morris just unable to get his head on it but that Kone header apart, Rangers had created little.

Much of that was down to Derby’s pressing and denying space for their midfield and forwards to operate in but the home side lost Johnston in the 88th minute with what looked like a hamstring injury.

That was the only worry for Derby who easily saw out five minutes of added time to celebrate back-to-back wins for the first time this season.