JOHNNY Russell paid tribute to Derby County goalkeeper Lee Grant and the back four following the Rams' Championship play-off semi-final first leg at Brighton.
Derby won 2-1 at the Amex Stadium on Thursday night, with the second leg to come on Sunday (5.15pm).
Steve McClaren's side had to defend stoutly to hold on to their lead, with Grant pulling off a string of fine saves.
He kept out a header from Leo Ulloa in the first half and tipped a volley from the same player on to the bar after the break.
Grant then produced an excellent double save in the closing stages to deny Jesse Lingard and Stephen Ward.
"Granty's been superb all season - him and the back four," said Russell.
"They don't always get a lot of credit, because of the football we've played, attacking-wise.
"But they are just as important at the back. Some of the blocks and saves they make are absolutely vital.
"You saw two sides to our game - we played well at times and then when we had to dig in, we did."
Derby fell behind to Lingard's 18th-minute opener but they levelled just before the half-hour through a Chris Martin penalty.
Then, in first-half stoppage time, the Rams went ahead when Martin's shot hit the bar and went in off Seagulls keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
"We knew how quick they were going to come out of the traps - and they did," said Russell. "They made it really hard for us.
"They played a lot of nice stuff and got the goal.
"But with the character we've got in the squad, we know we can always get a goal back - and we managed to do that.
"Then we got another just before half-time, which was a bitter blow for them.
"In the second half, we knew they were going to come back at us - and they did that.
"I think they were the best team in the second half but Granty and the back four were tremendous on the night."
