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Derby dominated the opening 45 minutes but were unable to make their superiority count against gritty Rotherham.

George Burley's side, desperate to move out of the relegation zone, bolstered their squad this week by signing defender Jeff Kenna from Birmingham and striker Paul Peschisolido from Sheffield United.

Both were named in the Rams' starting line-up.

Rotherham, who could still be sucked back into the relegation battle, also needed a win to put more distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Boss Ronnie Moore included Phil Gilchrist in his starting 11 after signing him on an initial month's loan from West Brom, even though the defender's last first team game for the Baggies was on Boxing Day.

Rotherham's Julien Baudet cleared an early corner from Candido Costa and Chris Swailes then blocked a piledriver from Tom Huddlestone as the home side started strongly.

Peschisolido, keen to make a quick impression on his new employers, then sent a fifth-minute shot wide as Derby continued to dominate the early exchanges.

Rotherham's attacking forays were limited in the opening 10 minutes and a Darren Garner cross was easily cut out by Derby keeper Lee Grant on one of the few occasions they looked threatening early on.

The home side continued to look much more impressive with Rotherham keeper Mike Pollitt having to punch clear from a Costa free-kick and Peschisolido having another goalbound effort blocked.

Derby were forced to make a change on the half-hour with Paul Boertien replacing the injured Michael Johnson.

Rotherham's Paul Warne did try his luck from distance, but his effort 10 minutes before the interval was too high.

	Related stories: FT: Derby 1 Rotherham 0 17:15 Saturday 13th March 2004 Preview: Derby v Rotherham 15:26 Friday 12th March 2004 More related stories

	Check for more on: Rotherham United Derby County English First Division Soccer

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