More home joy for Rams as Barnsley beaten

Sky Bet League One

Derby County 2

McCarthy 8og, Mendez-Laing 35

Barnsley 1

Benson 64

Derby County made it two wins from three in League One as they overcame Barnsley at Pride Park on Saturday.

The Rams went in front just eight minutes in when Conor Hourihane's cross found the net via the head of Barnsley defender Conor McCarthy.

Joe Wildsmith saved well from James Norwood to preserve the lead, and it would then be doubled on 35 minutes as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was found by Tom Barkhuizen and had time to drill the ball into the net for his first Rams goal.

Barnsley battled back well in the second-half, Jack Aitchison putting a great chance over the top early on as a free-kick found him at the far post.

After James Collins missed an opportunity to make it 3-0, the visitors capitalised on 64 minutes as Josh Benson's effort was deflected past Wildsmith to reduce the arrears.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing celebrates his goal. Photo: Derby County FC.

But Derby held on to ensure back-to-back home wins and put them in good shape for the trip to Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday.

Derby: Wildsmith, Hourihane, Cashin, Barkhuizen (Forsyth 88), Bird (C), Collins, Mendez-Laing (Dobbin 75), Roberts, Sibley (Smith 58), Stearman, Knight.

Substitutes: Loach, McGoldrick, Thompson, Rooney.

Barnsley: Collins, Williams, Styles, Kitching, Andersen (C), Norwood (Cole 63), Benson, Thomas, McCarthy (Cundy 84), Aitchison (Marsh 72), Connell (Oduor 84).

Substitutes: Walton, Hondermarck, Wolfe.

Attendance: 26,123