Clough's first game in change ended in a deflating defeat against a Rangers side who celebrated their first away win under manager Paulo Sousa.

First-half goals from Wayne Routledge and Mikele Leigertwood were enough to ruin Clough's big day at the club where his famous father Brian made his name.

Asked if he was bitterly disappointed, Clough admitted: "Those two words are quite fitting.

"We started quite brightly but we were in possession both times for the two goals we conceded.

"You can only do so much to get a positive feeling around the place but when that first goal goes in everything reverts to type and that's something we have to deal with.

"A few players were below par and people didn't do their jobs.

"The strikers didn't hold the ball up and the wide men didn't get crosses in, the sort of things we got used to at our previous club (Burton Albion).

"There were not too many positives to come out of this apart from to highlight and emphasise the problems.

"We want a more positive attitude on the pitch. There were not too many people looking to go forward, we are at home in front of 28,000 people so let's get on the front foot."

For Rangers the victory was the perfect response to their FA Cup exit at Burley in midweek, when they were beaten by a goal in the last minute of extra time.

The only negative note was a serious injury to skipper Martin Rowlands, who was carried off on a stretcher after only 12 minutes.

Sousa said: "I want to dedicate this victory to him. He always wants to win, he is a fighter, our captain and our leader.

"We could have lost him for the season. We think there is a problem in one of his knees, we will know more later but if we have lost a player we have not lost a person.

"We have been looking for this victory because in the last five games we have been unlucky not to win three of them.

"When you lose in the 120th minute it is not easy to deal with but my players answered that very well today.

"We showed a lot of personality to come here and control the game. We played so well it means the hard work we have been doing is coming off and I am delighted to get my first away win."

Derby had started well but once Routledge had drilled in a low shot from eight yards in the 22nd minute, the contest changed.

Routledge tormented Mo Camara throughout and he got the better of Derby's left back in the 36th minute to set up Leigertwood to beat Roy Carroll from 15 yards.

Derby did force Radek Cerny into a diving save at the start of the second half but Rangers were never seriously threatened and Derby go into Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final at Old Trafford only two points off the Championship relegation zone.