Mile Shines In Rams Start

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Socceroo Mile Sterjovski won his first start under Derby boss Nigel Clough and celebrated with an assist in the Rams' 2-1 triumph over Bristol City in the Championship.

The 29-year-old Australian international, who has been used on numerous occasions as a substitute since Clough took over at Pride Park in January, finally won his first run in starting XI for the Rams under the new gaffer after injuries to Derby midfield pair Paul Green and Steve Davies.

And Sterjovski's enthusiasm was obvious early on when he swooped on a loose ball in the middle of the park before working himself into a dangerous spot on the right side of the penalty box.

The former FC Basel man then whipped a low ball across goal which found teammate Chris Porter, who calmly converted the chance after a mere 52 seconds of the contest.

It was the ideal start for Sterjovski and the Rams, but Bristol, who've been in good form lately to storm into the Championship playoffs reckoning, fought back and could easily have drawn level before the break with several good opportunities going to waste.

Despite all of Bristol's pressure, the Rams could have gone two up on the hour, when Sterjovski released Rob Hulse with a clever through-ball but the Derby hitman was denied by a good save from Bristol goalkeeper Adriano Basso.

Bristol though would make the breakthrough late in the contest thanks to Gavin Williams only for Hulse to strike back only two minutes later to claim the points for the Rams and effectively ward off their threat of relegation.

Sterjovski ended up taking an early rest after being substituted on 87 minutes, after the drama of the late two goals, but it was a good night for the Aussie.

Speaking after the match, Nigel Clough told BBC Sport about Derby's opener, "I think everyone, including us, where shouting at Mile to shoot when he got the ball on the edge of the box but once he didn't do that, he didn't get it under control straight away, he did just the right thing. Took his time and put a lovely ball in and that's where we want Chris Porter in the six-yard box."