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The game was full of incident and excitement, with Mansfield taking the fight to Derby in the opening half. The stags took the lead after 10 minutes with a headed goal by Alan O'Hare. It wasn't long however before the Rams levelled the scores, Rob Hulse on his debut for the club scoring two minutes later from a cross delivered by another summer signing, Jordan Stewart.
Half time came with the Stags winning by 2-1 and Derby knew they had a fight on their hands and responded during the second period but it wasn't until the 70th minute that Derby took control. Firstly Titto Villa scored the equaliser from a corner swung in by Mansfield born Kris Common, another Rams debutant. Commons looked to be over his tight hamstring problem and showed some excellent touches in midfield.
With the scores tied at 2-2 the Rams went in for the kill and found another goal just two minutes after the equaliser. A superbly stuck volley by yet another new Rams signing Paul Green saw Derby 2-3.
The excitement wasn't over yet and young striker Liam Dickinson entered the fray in the 80th minute and thought he had added to the score sheet with a well taken goal but the referee had noticed a foul by Titto Villa in the build up to the goal, so it was ruled out.
Derby looked to have settled for the 2-3 win but Mansfield hadn't finished yet and their determination saw Ryan Goward having a fine shot saved by Roy Carroll, as Goward tried to reach the rebound he was judged to have been brought down by experienced defender Allan Stubbs. Goward took the penalty himself but Carroll produced a fine save with his legs, that was the final action of the game as the referee blew for full time.
A good result for Derby and one that should give the side confidence as they finish off their friendly games with he visit of FC Utrecht to Pride Park on Saturday prior to the Championship start the following week...