CHRIS Martin went from villain to hero to give Derby County a 1-0 half-time lead against Bolton Wanderers.
Martin had an early penalty saved by Andy Lonergan but the striker atoned for his miss to open the scoring in the 38th-minute of Saturday's Championship clash at the Macron Stadium.
Skipper Richard Keogh made a goal-saving intervention in the third minute, blocking Joe Mason's attempt to convert Liam Feeney's right-wing cross.
But Derby had started well and were awarded a penalty when Craig Bryson was tripped in the area by Mason.
Martin stepped up but his ninth-minute spot kick was kept out by Lonergan, diving away to his right.
Lee Grant was called into action after a quarter of an hour, getting down to turn Mason's effort around his near post following a ball in from Lee Chung-Yong.
The home side wanted a penalty, for handball, when Zak Whitbread got in the way of Feeney's shot but referee Mark Brown waved play on.
At the other end, Will Hughes saw his shot saved by Lonergan after Martin's chip to the back post had been headed clear by former Derby defender Dean Moxey.
Jamie Ward sent a curling shot narrowly wide on the half-hour after exchanging passes with Hughes from the right.
Jordon Ibe, making his first league start for the Rams, then almost picked out Ward in the middle, only for Lonergan to get a vital touch on the ball.
The visitors went ahead when Keogh did well to latch onto a crossfield pass from Bryson and fed Cyrus Christie on the right.
Christie delivered a low centre which was neatly finished first-time by Martin from six yards.
