by Steve Garland, from Pride Park

Snapshot

Two second half Derby strikes put an end to Cardiff City's unbeaten run of ten games, as a second string Bluebirds side succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Pride Park.

After a first half of plenty of endeavour but little cutting edge, it took just three minutes of the second period for the home side the break the deadlock, as Jay McEverley nodded home a Kris Commons free kick to put the Rams ahead.

Derby would soon double their advantage as Ben Pringle found David Martin in space on the right flank, Martin driving into the City danger area before firing his shot below Peter Enckelman in the City goal.

Ross McCormack provided the Bluebirds' threat throughout, somehow failing to get his name on the scoresheet with a number of spectacular efforts, too often thwarted by Derby keeper Deeney or the cross bar.

The result would bring an end to Cardiff's good run of form, but unlike their opponents, the Bluebirds would have the Play-offs to look forward to.

Chronological Report

With a play-off place secure, Dave Jones took the opportunity to rest his star players at Pride Park, as a mix of Academy products and fringe players took on Derby County in the final day of the regular league season.

But City's much changed side were almost behind within a minute as the home side went on the offensive, looking to bring some end of season cheer to the Rams' faithful. Some good build up play gave Kris Commons the chance to snatch an early lead, only to squander it when it looked easier to score.

It brought early hope that this encounter would not turn into the expected end of season affair. Five minutes later Chris Burke provided further optimism as he embarked upon a mazy run down the right flank, only to see his effort deflected wide by a retreating Derby defence.

In full voice, Cardiff's travelling contingent were enjoying a pressure free last day of the season for a change and in turn were full of famous faces. The Hulk, Superman, and even a member of Bananas in pyjamas were amongst the City faithful, and they were almost sent into raptures as Ross McCormack lined up a twelfth minute free-kick from the edge of the area. The Scot unleashed a superb effort towards goal that looked certain to nestle in the back of the Derby net, only for Rams' keeper Saul Deeney to produce a magnificent fingertip save to deny McCormack his fifth league goal of the season.

After a rather energetic first quarter of an hour, the game entered 'end of season mode' until the home side went on a rare venture into the Cardiff half. After a series of chances to clear, City's Solomon Taiwo was robbed of the ball on the edge of the penalty area, allowing Tomasz Cywka time and space to test Peter Enckelman with a rasping low drive only for the Finnish stopper to tip the ball wide of the near post.

It would be the Bluebirds who would finish the half the stronger though. Warren Feeney put through McCormack one on one with keeper Deeney, and although he deserved a goal for his first half performance, the Scot could only blaze his effort high and wide. The chance signalled an end to the first half in which both teams would have been satisfied with the level scoreline.

HALF TIME: DERBY COUNTY 0-0 CARDIFF CITY

Without a goal for the entirety of the first half, Derby County surged forward from the restart looking to end their season on a high and they soon took the lead as Jay McEveley lost his marker to head home a Kris Commons free-kick from the right flank, giving the Rams' the lead.

GOAL: Derby County 1-0 Cardiff City (Jay McEverley 48 mins)

Cardiff City Substitution: Warren Feeney off - Josh Magennis on (53 mins)

With their unbeaten record now under threat, the Bluebirds needed to extend that run to ensure that they went into the play-offs in the best of form. Goalkeeper turned Striker Josh Magennis entered for his first appearance since suffering a broken fibula against Blackpool in January.

But it was the home side who would almost double their lead just three minutes later, as Cywka threatened with a low cross come shot into the six yard box, which keeper Enckelman could only parry. A scramble ensued as first Ben Pringle and then Michael Tonge tried and failed to stab the ball into the back of the net.

With safety assured after another season of rebuilding, Derby were playing with freedom and confidence in front of their home fans, but it was a calamity of Bluebirds errors that brought the Rams' their second of the match. First Mark Hudson was caught out in midfield, allowing Pringle time and space to find an unmarked David Martin on the right flank. Bearing down on goal, Martin only had Enckelman to beat and opted for power to guide the ball under the Finnish stopper and double his side's advantage.

GOAL: Derby County 2-0 Cardiff City (David Martin 62 mins)

Cardiff City Substitution: Kelvin Etuhu off - Adam Matthews on (62 mins)

The Bluebirds' second string side were in serious danger of letting the team's unbeaten record slip and they failed to show any signs of reducing the deficit as the game entered its final quarter of an hour. Indeed, it was the home side who continued to press forward looking to further avenge their heavy 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Bluebirds at Cardiff City Stadium earlier in the season

Derby County Substitution: Kris Commons off - Gary Teale on (75 mins)

As the game entered its final ten minutes, Derby looked comfortable with their two goal advantage and in typical exhibition fashion, both managers gave opportunities to their younger members of their squad. It would include Aaron Morris for the Bluebirds, who replaced Solomon Taiwo for his first senior league appearance for the club.

Cardiff City Substitution: Solomon Taiwo off - Aaron Morris on (82 mins)

Derby County substitution: Tomasz Cywka off - Callum Ball on (83 mins)

With little chance of taking anything from this tie, Ross McCormack still went searching for his goal and almost produced the spectacular again. He unleashed a shot from twenty five yards out, but the Scot was left frustrated again by a superb fingertip save from Deeney and then the cross bar.

Derby County Substitution: David Martin off - Ryan Connolly on (89 mins)

The victory would lift Derby up to fourteenth in the Championship table, but as the full time whistle went at Pride Park, the Bluebirds would have the play-offs to look forward to as they secured fourth spot in the league table for their highest finish in the league for thirty-nine years. Cardiff will now battle it out with Leicester City, with the first leg of the semi-final taking place at the Walkers Stadium in just a week's time.

FULL TIME: DERBY COUNTY 2-0 CARDIFF CITY