Derby 0-2 QPR

Nigel Clough is just a little too old to believe in the sort of fairytale most of football wanted to see at Pride Park yesterday.

Almost 42 years after his father Brian stepped into the manager's boots at Derby County to build himself a reputation as one of the greatest English soccer bosses, the chip off the old block embarked on the same journey.

But young Clough had to suffer the anti-climax of a defeat even more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests. His injury-hit Derby side were given a salutory lesson in midfield power play and decisive finishing as QPR chalked up only their second away league win of the season.

Clough didn't give his father a single mention in his programme notes to show his determination to do things his own way. He clearly respects his dad's achievements but it will be hard enough to live with the inevitable comparisons without heaping them on himself!

Clough senior had initial problems before he got to grip with the Derby County of old and things got worse before they improved all those years ago.

And after his first game in charge, his son said: "This was a bitter disappointment. We knew before today we had a fight on our hands and this performance highlighted it.

"Even a point would have raised confidence among the squad a little and there isn't too much around."

Straight talking, just like his father. And he was unhappy with the performances of his senior players, too. "They did not do it as they should have done. The only thing that came from this game was to emphasise the problems that have to be overcome."

Derby collapsed after giving away a goal in the most unfortunate manner in the 22nd minute. Full-back Martin Albrechtsen did well to nick the ball off the toe of Heidar Helguson as he was teeing up a shot - but it flew straight into the path of tiny Wayne Routledge, who drove his shot confidently into the net.

Bad defending was responsible for QPR's second goal in the 36th minute as Mo Camara failed to cope with the pace of Routledge and no one picked up his cross to Mikele Leigertwood, who fired home.

Rangers boss Paulo Sousa said: "We lost our captain early Rowlands went off with a damaged knee after nine minutes but our players did not lose their passion. I am very happy with our performance and the points."

HOW THEY RATED

DERBY

7 Carroll

6 Albrechtsen

6 Todd

6 Nyatanga

5 Camara

6 Barnes

7 Green

7 Addison

6 Commons

6 Varney

6 Hulse

QPR

Cerny 6

Connolly 7

Gorkss 7

Stewart 7

Delaney 6

Routledge 8

Leigertwood 7

Mahon 7

Rowlands 5

Cook 7

Helguson 7

SUBSTITUTES

Barazite (Barnes) 5,

Davies (Varney) 6

Alberti (Cook) 5,

Ephraim (Rowlands) 7,

Di Carmine (Helguson) 5

MANAGERS

6 CLOUGH SOUSA 7

MAN OF THE MATCH

8 WAYNE ROUTLEDGE

Continuous menace wide on right with pace and power

Referee: K Wright 6