David McGoldrick returns Rams to play-off places with winner against Burton

David McGoldrick’s 25th goal of the season gave Derby a 1-0 win over Burton and lifted them back into the Sky Bet League One play-off places.

Burton made Derby work for the points and had a great chance in the 11th minute but Deji Oshilaja hit the foot of Joe Wildsmith’s left post after Dale Taylor played him in.

McGoldrick had shots blocked before Louie Sibley got behind Burton on the right but Nathaniel Mendez-Laing just failed to connect with his cross.

Burton had been solid in the first half and restricted Derby to half-chances but they almost fell behind in the 54th minute when Haydon Roberts’ shot was blocked by Craig MacGillivray, bounced off a defender and clipped the bar.

MacGillivray denied McGoldrick but Derby’s leading scorer broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute from the penalty spot after Joe Powell tripped Max Bird.

The Burton goalkeeper twice saved from McGoldrick before former Derby defender John Brayford headed just over from a corner in the 85th minute.