DERBY 2 (Ward 60, B Davies 62), LEEDS 1 (Gradel 58)

Derby: Jones, Brayford, Ayala, Roberts, Barker, Savage, B Davies, Bailey, S Davies (Addison 90), Pearson (Robinson 74), Ward (Porter 85). Subs not used: Atkins, Anderson, Bueno, Leacock.

United: Schmeichel, Connolly, Bromby, O'Brien, Lichaj, Livermore (Johnson 63), Kilkenny, Bannan (McCormack 72), Howson, Gradel, Becchio (Somma 63). Subs: Bruce, Naylor, Sam, Higgs. 

Referee: G Salisbury

Booked: Ayala, Pearson, Savage (Derby), Becchio, Johnson, Kilkenny (Leeds)

Att: 27,252

United manager Simon Grayson made two changes from the side which lost to Millwall on Saturday. Barry Bannan came in for Brad Johnson, who dropped to the bench, and Neil Kilkenny returned in place of the injured Robert Snodgras.

Having started slowly at Millwall the previous weekend, United started with a much better tempo at Pride Park and after one early raid from Max Gradel, Bannan had a free-kick headed clear. Leeds also looked to get the ball in the box early, with Derby having to deal with crosses from Bannan and Paul Connolly.

At the other end, Kasper Schmeichel came off his line to punch clear a free-kick and it was a lively start to proceedings.

Leeds were looking to make a positive start and after Kilkenny sent a shot over the bar, Eric Lichaj won a corner with a great overlapping run.

On 22 minutes, another Leeds raid ended in a booking when Luciano Becchio was shown yellow for handling a Bannan cross. The livewire Scot also curled a shot wide as Leeds looked to peg Derby back and apply the pressure.

United were looking the most likely and Gradel tested Brad Jones with a low strike which the keeper had to gather. Jones also had to beat away an effort from Jonny Howson after the midfielder advanced from his own half to work an opening.

On the half-hour, Bannan curled a free-kick wide, but when Derby mounted a rare raid in response, Schmeichel had to come racing out of goal to smother a dangerous ball from Robbie Savage.

There was a concern for Leeds on 39 minutes when Howson was the victim of a lunging challenge from Daniel Ayala and the midfielder underwent lengthy treatment, but he returned to action swiftly.

United had enjoyed a good first half and were well placed at the interval, but it was the home side who had the first opportunity of the second half when Jamie Ward sent a shot wide of the mark. Schmeichel also had to collect a towering header from Shaun Barker in the opening minutes of the second period.

But it was Leeds who almost created the opening goal on 50 minutes when Kilkenny sent in a free-kick and Gradel almost applied the finishing touch.

The home side also carved out an opening when Ben Davies whipped in a low cross from the right, but a well-placed Ward couldn't make it count.

It was end to end as the game approached the hour and Bannan had a shot blocked after good work down the left by Leeds.

The opener did come for United, though, on 58 minutes, courtesy of Gradel. The Ivorian picked up the ball on the edge of the box, controlled it, and smashed home a lethal strike to make it 1-0.

It was a great piece of skill and promoted delirious celebrations in the away end.

But Derby were level within two minutes. A low cross came in from the left and Ward was on hand to convert to make it 1-1.

And it was 2-1 within the space of just over 60 seconds. Davies was the man this time when he volleyed in a superb strike leaving Schmeichel with no chance.

Immediately, Grayson made a double change. Davide Somma came on for Becchio and Johnson replaced Jake Livermore. Johnson was immediately involved when he headed a Bannan cross just wide of the mark as United looked to force a way back.

Next, Ward scraped the woodwork with another thunderous effort for the hide.

On 72 minutes, Grayson made his final change, bringing on Ross McCormack and the Scot's first involvement was to win a corner.

But Derby felt they had a good penallty appeal waved away on 75 minutes when Ben Davies went down in the area and moments later, Steven Davies sent a shot fizzing just wide as the hosts broke again.

Tempers were also beginning to fray, Connolly was hauled back for a free-kick and both Savage and Theo Robinson were spoken to by the referee. Savage was then booked for needlessly trying to provoke Gradel.

As the game entered its final 10 minutes, United piled forward in numbers and after Derby scrambled the ball clear, Howson sent a shot flying over the bar.

Gradel then forced Jones into making a good save from a free-kick and it was Derby who were clinging on as the game moved past the 85-minute mark.

Andy O'Brien was effectively playing as an additional strike by this stage, and when Kilkenny whipped in a free-kick, Jones first saved before the ball was cleared off the line.

The risk left United open at the back, but Schmeichel saved superbly from Ben Davies when the Derby man should have had all the time in the world to put the game beyond doubt.

Five minutes of added time gave United hope and everyone went forward in the first of those minutes for a Schmeichel free-kick. The ball was launched into the area, but referee Graham Salisbury below for a foul after Jones spilled the ball. Play was held up for almost three minutes as the keeper received lengthy treatment

.The stoppage time lasted almost nine minutes, but there was to be no way back for Leeds.

The defeat leaves United in sixth spot with the chasing pack ahead of Saturday's Elland Road visit from Watford.