DERBY County trail 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday at half-time in Saturday's Championship encounter at the iPro Stadium.
A free-kick from former Nottingham Forest man Lewis McGugan after 20 minutes separates the side at the break.
It was an opening period of few chances, though Derby created more as the half went on, with Tom Ince going close.
Wednesday took the lead with the first shot of the game.
McGugan, who had been pulled back by Will Hughes 25 yards from goal, curled a right-foot shot up and over the wall, leaving Lee Grant rooted to the spot.
The Rams nearly equalised five minutes later.
Jeff Hendrick threaded a pass through to Hughes, who went for the ball with keeper Kieren Westwood and a defender.
The ball broke to Ince, who took a touch before sending a low shot, from a tight angle, against the foot of the post.
On the half-hour, George Thorne - making his first appearance of the season - sent a 30-yarder whistling just wide.
Then, in the 39th minute, Ince's long-range free kick was tipped over by Westwood, with the ball heading for the top corner.
Westwood was called into action again in added time, making a low save to keep out Hughes' effort from the edge of the area.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
