IT may not have been an Oscar-winning performance, but three points in front of the Sky cameras was more than enough to ensure Preston's screen idols left Pride Park with smiles on their faces.

A 2-0 win against a team who until last term were playing in the Premiership elite is a good result in anyone's books, but it was the referee who nearly stole the show, brandishing 10 cards - including one red - as he tried to catch the spotlight.

Graham Alexander, Paul McKenna, Chris Lucketti, Richard Cresswell, Eric Skora, Eddie Lewis and David Healy all found themselves in Mark Warren's book during what manager Craig Brown described as a 'scrappy game.'

But the talking point wil remain the sending off of Warren Barton in first-half injury time.

The former Newcastle defender reacted badly to Cresswell holding on to the ball when he was caught off side - and promptly threw him on the floor!

Cresswell was booked but Barton walked. And while there was no arguing about the sending off, some of the other cards were questionable.

Mild-mannered Brown referred to the ref as 'maybe a bit officious'.

To say Barton's sending-off was a turning point which won the game for North End would be more than a little harsh on the visitors.

After weathering an early storm from Derby, which North End's three man defence coped with very well but for one chance just 30 seconds into the game.

Adam Bolder cut in and sent an angled shot at the North End goal, which Tepi Moilanen tipped round with one hand.

But it only took one solo effort from Ricardo Fuller for North End to realise that this game was there for the taking.

On 41 minutes, he left Barton for dust as he charged down the left, before cutting in along the line before pulling the ball back to Dickson Etuhu, who struck home from 15 yards.

Fuller and Cresswell both squandered chances which would have been goals had they passed the ball to each other rather than going it alone.

On 71 minutes, Healy replaced Fuller and within four minutes had doubled North End's lead.

Finishing off a move started by Skora and linked by Paul McKenna, Healy curled the ball in the Derby net to ensure North End's first away victory of the season.

Edwards injury

Preston North End full-back, Rob Edwards is under treatment after breaking his wrist during Saturday's win at Derby.