Brennan Johnson sinks Derby as Nottingham Forest win after fiery finale

If this is to be the last east Midlands derby for a long time, then at least it will live long in the memory. James Garner helped create both goals for Nottingham Forest, whose push for a play-off place will be boosted by extending the longest unbeaten league run in this fixture to nine matches.

Derby, whose survival hopes were strengthened on the eve of the game by news of a firm £28m bid from the founders of the US-based investment group Carlisle Capital, lost for the first time in six Championship games – but if they avoid liquidation and go down to League One, at least they know there is heart in the club.

Forest deserved to win, courtesy of second-half goals from Lewis Grabban and Brennan Johnson, before the game exploded dramatically around the final whistle.

Tom Lawrence’s penalty set up a furious finale before Ravel Morrison was sent off for lunging in on Philip Zinckernagel, sparking the first of two melees involving the majority of players.

The first half was a cautious affair. Lawrence, whose two goals saw Derby to victory over Sheffield United last week, should have scored in the 16th minute when he executed a perfect one-two with Colin Kazim-Richards only to sidefoot wide from 10 yards.

Pushing Ryan Yates into midfield helped Forest take control of the game, though, and it was his shot from 20 yards that gave them their first clear chance, with Ryan Allsop spooning the ball behind for a corner.

Keinan Davis was then sent racing through by Jack Colback’s pass just before half-time but Allsop was out swiftly to clear the high bouncing ball. Davis, on loan from Aston Villa, crumpled into a heap as Forest cried for sanction but none was forthcoming.

Three minutes into the second half, the game caught fire. Scott