Derby comeback delays Fulham's promotion party

Derby illustrated their unwavering determination once again by coming from behind to beat Fulham 2-1, delaying the confirmation of automatic promotion for the Cottagers and keeping their slim survival hopes alive.

Following Luton's win over Nottingham Forest earlier on Good Friday, Marco Silva's men would have secured a return to the Premier League after one season away with victory, which they looked set to do when Fabio Carvalho tucked in the opener after 20 minutes.

But Wayne Rooney's men were the better side after the break and, after teenage striker Luke Plange steered home an equaliser (51), a Tosin Adarabioyo own goal (73) sent the home fans wild and secured all three points for the Rams.

Defeat means Fulham have lost back-to-back games for the first time this season, yet they still lead second-placed Bournemouth - who have a game in hand - by nine points. Derby climb up to 22nd, nine points from safety with four games to play.

With preferred bidder Chris Kirchner in attendance at a packed out Pride Park, Derby started with an encouraging spring in their step and prevented Fulham from getting into the rhythm that has made them so hard to stop at times this season

It took 20 minutes for the Cottagers to register their first shot on target, but when they did, they scored as a slick move was rounded off by Carvalho after his neat exchange of passes with Bobby Decordova-Reid.

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The Portuguese - who has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool - came close to a second shortly before the break, though Rams goalkeeper Ryan Allsop was equal to his low shot at the second time of asking.

But no sooner had the second half got under way, the Rams were right back in