Derby went down to their seventh defeat in nine npower Championship games, 1-0, at home to Nottingham Forest with the hosts also having Dean Moxey sent off late on. Asked about the pressure, Rams boss Nigel Clough replied: "No more than normal. It's got to be put into perspective, you can look at the last eight weeks or two years.

"Is there any other Championship club in that time that's brought in more money than it's spent and reduced the wage bill by nearly half, taken £7million off it and we are still just about keeping our heads above water?

"If there's any other Championship club that's done that in the last couple of seasons we would like to know who they are."

Clough added: "I didn't think there was anything in the game really, it looked as if it was going to a 0-0.

"The outstanding chance of the game fell to us in the first half and there was one shot in the second half which finished in the bottom corner, that's the way it seems to be going for us at the moment.

"I was delighted with the effort that went in from the players. The one thing that has been scrutinised in recent weeks is our desire and there was no sign of that at all in this game and we battled away."

Of Earnshaw's winner, Clough said: "There was a breakaway down the left and the ball has come across. As an ex-striker I would tend to say it was an extremely good finish, he's hit it from 20 yards and unfortunately it's finished in our bottom corner."

Clough explained midfielder Robbie Savage was substituted to prevent him seeing red.

"He had been booked, he had made another foul and the information we were getting from the fourth official was one more thing and he would be sent off," Clough said.

"We couldn't afford that to happen with 35 minutes to go.

"I thought the sending-off was harsh, he (Dean Moxey) was trying to hook the ball away and I didn't think there was anything there. The two players got up and shook hands so I didn't think it was a sending-off at all."

Forest manager Billy Davies saw his team move into the play-off places, and said: "It's another very important away victory against a very good side. They were obviously up for the game and you could feel the energy before the match.

"I thought we played with very good discipline in the first half and we should have been two or three goals up but we showed a lack of composure and quality with the final ball."

Davies felt there was nothing wrong with his celebration in front of the Forest fans after the win against the club he used to manage.

"I celebrate the same way on the touchline and I go to the fans, there's no difference. I have no issues at all with coming back here," he said.

"I have no problems with what took place in the past, I am not bitter in any way, I have great memories from here and had some great times at this club. As the Forest manager I expect a bit of stick.

"It was a great finish and a first-class goal. It was a great three points and I was pleased with the discipline and character that we showed. It's a very proud achievement, the double in the first time in how many years it is."