Half-Time Report: Derby County earn slender advantage over Leeds United

Derby County have recorded a slender 2-1 half-time advantage over Leeds United in Steve McClaren's first game in charge of the Rams.

The hosts began the brighter of the two sides and it was not long before McClaren would see the first goal scored under his tutelage.

Striker Chris Martin played a neat one-two with Craig Bryson, before smashing past goalkeeper Paddy Kenny in the Leeds goal.

It would get better for McClaren and his team minutes later, as the former England boss was swiftly vindicated for his decision to include Johnny Russell in the starting lineup after the 23-year-old surged toward goal before comfortably slotting past Kenny.

The celebrations would be short-lived, though, as defender Jason Pearce halved the deficit for the visitors on the stroke of half time by heading home Lee Peltier's cross.