Substitute Paul Peschisolido broke the hearts of 10-man Bristol Rovers with a late goal as Coca-Cola Championship leaders Derby advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory at Pride Park.

Peschisolido, on as a 73rd-minute replacement for Arturo Lupoli, took just eight minutes to find the net when he finished coolly from just inside the area after being played in by Seth Johnson.

It was harsh on the League Two side who dominated for much of the game and created the better chances but who were forced to battle bravely for the final 20 minutes after Aaron Lescott was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Lupoli.

It looked like Rovers were capable of repeating their memorable cup victory of 2002 when a Nathan Ellington hat-trick saw them win 3-1 at Pride Park in the third round of the competition.

Rovers boss Paul Trollope, a County player between December 1994 and November 1997, said his side would not be daunted by the 56 league places separating the two sides before kick-off and that proved to be the case.

Richard Walker and Sammy Igoe came closest for Rovers with headers in quick succession at the end of the first half.

Walker must have thought he had maintained his record of scoring in every round when he met Andy Sandell's right-wing cross but Stephen Bywater produced a first class save to tip the ball over the crossbar. Bywater kept Rovers at bay again soon after when he denied Igoe at point-blank range following Chris Carruthers' centre.

Earlier, Derby were fortunate to escape when a defensive mix-up between Bywater and Richard Jackson almost gifted the opening goal to Walker.

Jackson's pass back rolled perilously past Bywater and towards his own goal after the goalkeeper had come to clear but Bywater won the race with Walker to slide and kick the ball out for a corner.

Carruthers hit the side-netting with a fierce left-footed shot midway through the half before Sandell had the ball in the net following a corner but his effort was ruled out by referee Andy D'Urso for a foul on Bywater.

Lupoli created Derby's best opportunities of the opening period but both of his shots from the edge of the area missed the target before the Italian set up Giles Barnes, whose 25-yard drive stung the palms of Steve Phillips.

Derby manager Billy Davies promised changes to his starting line up and he was true to his word, making five changes to the side that beat Southend.

The most notable absentees were defender Dean Leacock and winger Gary Teale. Leacock served a one-match suspension after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season at Roots Hall while Teale was cup-tied having already featured in the competition for his former club Wigan.

Michael Johnson and Barnes deputised while Jackson and Seth Johnson replaced Marc Edworthy and Stephen Pearson respectively.

The most notable inclusion was Lupoli who scored a hat-trick against Wrexham in the previous round. He came in for David Jones.

Bristol Rovers were boosted by the return from suspension of captain Stuart Campbell and Igoe.

The duo replaced Lewis Haldane and Chris Lines in midfielder as Trollope made two changes to the side that contested last week's goalless home draw against Chester.

Derby improved after the interval and a sustained period of pressure resulted in Steve Howard sending a shot from the edge of the area narrowly wide.

County came closer still when Darren Moore's header had to be cleared off his own goalline by Carruthers in the 55th minute but it was Rovers who continued to create the clear-cut chances.

A brisk counter-attack straight from Carruthers' clearance saw Walker through on goal with just Bywater to beat but he shot straight at the keeper.

Bywater thwarted Walker again midway through the second half, this time producing a fingertip save to tip the ball around the far post.

Walker was the man sacrificed following Lescott's dismissal as Ryan Green slotted into the defence leaving Lambert to plough a lone furrow up front.

The enforced move stunted Rovers' as an attacking force as the League Two side began to run out of steam.

There was no way back from Peschisolido's goal and Derby advanced from round four of the cup for the first time in eight years.

Teams:

Derby Bywater, Jackson, Moore, Michael Johnson, Camara,Fagan (Bisgaard 85), Malcolm (Smith 81), Seth Johnson, Barnes,Lupoli (Peschisolido 73), Howard.

Subs Not Used: Edworthy, Oakley.

Booked: Lupoli.

Goals: Peschisolido 82.

Bristol Rovers Phillips, Lescott, Hinton, Elliott, Carruthers,Igoe (Rigg 83), Campbell, Disley, Sandell (Haldane 76),Walker (Ryan Green 72), Lambert.

Subs Not Used: Lines, Parrinello.

Sent Off: Lescott (70).

Booked: Elliott.

Att: 25,033

Ref: A D'Urso (Essex).