Gary Teale's late second-half strike gave Derby County a much-needed victory against 10-man Bristol City at Pride Park.

Nigel Clough's team entered the game having lost four on the bounce, but dominated and deserved the three points against the Robins, who were left hanging on for a draw after their skipper Jamie McCombe was shown the red card after 60 minutes.

Up until that point it was an even contest with chances at both ends, but the balance shifted the Rams' way when the visitors' skipper saw red for two fouls on Rob Hulse inside two minutes.

With the numerical advantage Derby dominated, but couldn't find the crucial breakthrough until the 85th minute as Teale attacked a back-stepping City defence from the left-wing and found the back of the net with a well-struck right-foot shot, much to the relief of the lions' share of over 27,000 fans.

In an open first half, Derby dominated possession, but Gary Johnson's side could easily have taken a lead into the interval as City striker Alvaro Saborio was guilty of squandering the game's best opportunity.

The Derby defence was caught napping as Bradley Orr whipped in a cross from the right flank with barely a minute on the clock.

Saborio was unmarked inside the six-yard box, but nodded a weak header straight at Stephen Bywater in Derby's goal who would have stood no chance had the effort either power or placement.

It was the home side who were next to spurn a good opportunity, as with 20 minutes played, the ball broke to an unmarked James Vaughan for a chance of his first Derby goal, but the on-loan striker scuffed his shot wide of Adriano Basso's goal.

With five minutes of the half remaining, Hulse came close as, with his back to goal the tall striker turned swiftly and hit a curling shot which flew just over the junction of post and crossbar.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, the balance of the game was tipped heavily in Derby's favour as McCombe saw red.

The City skipper McCombe lost his head as he received two yellow cards inside two minutes.

His first was for feigning a facial injury after a tussle with Hulse at the corner flag, and just seconds later he took a wild swiping tackle at the same Derby player and was swiftly dismissed.

With the Robins reduced, the Rams dominated for the remaining half hour.

Lee Croft should have broken the deadlock when a Basso error left the Derby winger with an empty net, but he fired his 25-yard effort wide of the target, much to the frustration of the home fans.

The sense of frustration was growing as next Paul Dickov failed to hit the target from six yards out not once but twice.

But the crucial strike finally came with just five minutes of normal time remaining as Teale found some space and beat Basso in the Bristol goal.

Teams

Derby Bywater, Connolly, Barker, Leacock, Moxey,Croft (Addison 90), Livermore (Hendrie 78), Savage, Teale,Hulse, Vaughan (Dickov 64).

Subs Not Used: Deeney, McEveley, Pringle, Stoor.

Booked: Croft, Connolly.

Goals: Teale 85.

Bristol City Basso, Orr, McCombe, Fontaine, McAllister,Elliott, Johnson (Haynes 65), Hartley, Sno (Sproule 82),Maynard, Saborio (Nyatanga 57).

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Carey, Clarkson, Williams.

Sent Off: McCombe (56).

Booked: Sno, McCombe, Maynard.

Att: 27,144

Ref: Mike Russell (Hertfordshire).