So the main objective of the game as Burton Albion beat Derby County in the first focused match between the close neighbors.
Irvine stooped to meet a Lucas Akins cross to head Burton ahead, while Derby struggled to make an important exertion in answer before the break.
Derby substitute Abdoul Camara gave a spark and saw a redirected shot saved at the close post.
Will Hughes let go over the bar late on for the Rams yet Burton clutched win.
While just 12 miles of the A38 separate the two sides, the clubs have never included in the same division – with Burton finishing fifth in the Conference in 2007-08 when Derby County last highlighted in the Premier League.
The Rams have since stayed in England’s second level as Burton have won three promotions in eight years to go along with them in the Championship surprisingly. Burton assaulted with more noteworthy purpose for a significant part of the first half, with Lloyd Dyer, Tom Naylor and Akins – who set Irvine up for the opening objective – threatening all through. Burton also gave fresh introduction Shaun Barker an enthusiastic presentation as the previous Derby skipper showed up in almost four-and-a-half years against the club that released him last year.On talking with BBC Derby County boss Nigel Pearson said,
“These are the sorts of games that as players you look forward to.
“It’s three points on the board and now we need another 43 and not 46 like we did at the start of night. We have a hard eight or nine months ahead of us.
“All we are trying to do is get 15, 16 or however many good lads, working their socks off because that is how we will stay in this league.
“The levels of performance tonight is not what we are looking for, they are not good enough and not consistent enough. I accept we have players out of form and who are struggling to deal with game situations, but we have to work our way through that. There are no shortcuts to it and dealing with the responsibility or dealing with level of hard work we have to put in.
“We have players that need to be in a better place in physical conditioning and we also need to show more resilience collectively.”
