Derby 1 Brighton 0: Bamford's solo strike sinks Seagulls in battle of promotion hopefuls

Published: 12:00 EST, 18 January 2014 | Updated: 13:49 EST, 18 January 2014

The battle between the Championship's top scorers and one of the tightest defences in the division was won by a touch of class from Patrick Bamford, which earned Derby County a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brighton at the iPro Stadium.

Brighton had conceded only nine goals in 12 away games but they were beaten by a superb finish from the on-loan Chelsea striker whose second-half strike ended a run of three Derby defeats.

It was a moment of rare quality in a scrappy game of few chances although Derby goalkeeper Lee Grant made a stunning save to deny Matthew Upson in the first half.

Winner: On-loan Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford celebrates after scoring the winner against Brighton

Super-sub: Striker Bamford came off the bench to make the ultimate impact on the game

Derby skipper Richard Keogh returned to the team after missing five games with a knee injury but there were few alarming moments for either defence in a tepid opening until Jamie Ward cut in from the left flank in the 22nd minute and shot narrowly wide from 20 yards.

Brighton had enjoyed the majority of possession without really threatening but that changed in the 26th minute when Andrea Orlandi swung over a corner which Upson met with a bullet header only for Grant to produce a superb reaction save.

Derby's scoring record was being tested by a well-organised Brighton but the visitors composure was ruffled in the 38th minute when Simon Dawkins turned on the right-hand edge of the box and whipped in a low cross which was cleared at full stretch by Gordon Greer.

But those moments apart, the first half had lacked incident although Derby tried to raise the tempo after the interval only for a promising counter to break down on the edge of the visitors area.

Fingertips: Derby keeper Lee Grant keeps the shot of Brighton's Matthew Upson out with a reflex save

Committed: Brighton's Leonardo Ulloa is tackled by Derby's John Eustace with both knees taking possession

Brighton created their best moment since the Upson header when they broke down the right in the 56th minute with David Lopez crossing deep for Orlandi to drive in a shot which struck Andre Wisdom before going behind.

Derby made a double change in the 59th minute with a tired-looking Will Hughes replaced by Jeff Hendrick while Bamford took over from Dawkins.

Brighton brought on Solly March for Orlandi in the 67th minute and Steve McClaren played his last card when he introduced striker Conor Sammon for Wisdom but it was an early substitution that changed the game.

Ward played a one-two with Bamford on the edge of the Brighton box in the 76th minute and when the ball broke back off a yellow shirt, Bamford showed class and composure in a tight situation to curl a left foot shot past Tomasz Kuszczak.

Brighton responded immediately with Leonardo Ulloa holding off a challenge to drive in a low shot which Grant did well to keep out but that was as close as they came to denying the home side.

Clean sheet: Derby's Lee Grant kept his side in the game with some key saves before the winner came