Patrick Agyemang headed Derby County to a much needed victory as John Eustace's side closed the gap on the play-off positions at a below par Preston.

The striker's seventh goal of his campaign arrived late on heading home in the 82nd minute to secure the points in a contest the Rams dominated.

It spared Agyemang's blushes after he had missed an open goal from only seven yards out earlier in the second half.

This entirely warranted victory for the visitors came against a toothless Preston display which saw Paul Heckingbottom's side slip a place into sixth in the final play-off position.

For Derby a second win in three in the league nudged them up a place to 12th, five points adrift of their hosts.

Both of these sides had been knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend with Preston losing at home to Wigan and the Rams losing 3-1 to Leeds at Pride Park.

Yet only one bounced back from that disappointment with Derby hitting their straps early on and largely keeping a flat Preston outfit on the backfoot all afternoon.

The chances, such as they were in a goalless first half, mostly went Derby's way with Sonder Langas seeing an early headed effort saved and Matt Clarke heading wide in the first quarter of the game.

Preston were effectively shackled for much of the opening period with Milutin Osmajic going closest, forcing a decent stop from Jacob Widell Zetterstrom two minutes before the break.

Shortly after the teams reappeared Agyemang was to miss the chance of the afternoon, at least up until then, after Ben Brereton Diaz rolled the ball invitingly across the area only for the striker to lift his shot over with the goal gaping from seven yards out.

It was therefore to Agyemang's credit that he refused to let that blunder define his afternoon's work.

Brereton Diaz and Bobby Clarke had attempted to spare his blushes on 51 minutes and 65 minutes respectively, Jack Walton needing to dive low to deny the latter in the bottom corner.

Eight minutes from time Brereton Diaz crossed for United States international Agyemang who rose above planted Preston defenders to head home unchallenged and seal the points.

Preston were aggrieved not to get a penalty or at least a red card when Lewis Dobbin clashed with Derby's Bobby Clark on the edge of the box just after the hour mark only for the referee to deem the former's fall simulation.

It summed up an afternoon when nothing much went right for the hosts in a disappointingly tame display as Derby become the first side to turn over the Lilywhites at home in the league since November.

Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire:

"I think everyone thought it was [a penalty], even Bobby Clark who had his head in his hands when he did it. It is a penalty or a red card whichever side of the line it is. I tried to speak to the referee but they would not let me in [to the referee's room].

"Overall I thought we coped with them well. They are a big side, an aggressive side and it [the game] was exactly as I thought it would be but the moments we needed to capitalise on, we couldn't.

"Our best opportunities came on the counter but we never really really resulted in an end pass or a shot. Turning those moments into clear cut chances."

Derby County manager John Eustace speaking to BBC Radio Derby:

"We were excellent from the first minute. We really took the game to a tough Preston team. Delighted with the effort the hard work that the boys put in for 95 minutes and we really deserved the three points.

"The pitch didn't help if you wanted to play a bit of football but tactically we were very good today and the way the boys fought today was top, top drawer and that is what Derby County is all about.

"Lewis Travis led by example. He was outstanding. He has had a really frustrating period and he is obviously not match fit but he controlled the game with and without the ball today.

"We have to make sure he gets through the next 19 games unhurt and gets fitter and fitter and he is going to be a massive plus for Derby in the future.

"Danny Batth took a really bad knock in training and after starting to do the warm up just couldn't get through. Joe Ward who came in was top drawer.