Thursday 6 November 2014 16:07, UK
Steve McClaren was relieved to negotiate a tricky test against an improving Huddersfield side as Derby returned to winning ways on Tuesday night.
Following defeats to Wigan and Brentford, the Rams were facing the prospect of losing three successive Championship matches for the first time since February 2012 while the Terriers, managed by former Derby full-back Chris Powell, arrived at the iPro Stadium without a defeat in seven league games.
Jordan Ibe gave the hosts an early lead and although there was no goal for Derby striker Chris Martin on his 26th birthday, Huddersfield forward Harry Bunn celebrated signing a new contract earlier in the day with an equaliser.
Strikes from Johnny Russell and substitute Simon Dawkins sealed all three points for McClaren's men, before Mark Hudson's stoppage-time header reduced the arrears.
"It was a good reaction after Saturday at Brentford," said McClaren.
"It was a difficult game for us, a dangerous game for us given the way they play.
"We expected an open game and that's what we got. There were chances at both ends and it never felt like the game was won.
"Jack Butland made some good saves and Cyrus Christie made a superb block and then they scored right at the end, so it was fortunate for us that we had that two-goal cushion."
The win moves last season's play-off finalists to within a point of league leaders Bournemouth.
Derby hosts Wolves on Saturday in a top-six clash and McClaren said: "The games come thick and fast in the Championship and there are no easy matches.
"We got eighty-odd points last season - we've got to get the same again. We're on 29 now so there's a long way still to go."
Craig Bryson missed out against Huddersfield due to a slight injury concern but McClaren hopes the midfielder will be back in the reckoning at the weekend.
"He has an abductor/hip problem. Hopefully he will be back in training on Thursday and in contention for Saturday," said the Rams boss.
Powell, who made almost 100 appearances as a Derby player between 1996 and 1998, was disappointed to see his side's unbeaten run ended but the Huddersfield manager was proud of his players.
"Although losing is not a good feeling, I have to look back on the unbeaten run with a lot of pride," said Powell.
"We didn't make the greatest of starts but we got back into the game and Harry Bunn scored a really good goal.
"We conceded again just before half-time with what looked like a controversial goal at the time but I have seen it since and Martin was not offside, the officials got it spot on."
