Patrick Bamford's goal denied 10-man Derby County their first win in eight games after a battling display against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

The Rams, who have only won once all season and have seen their defence depleted by injury, deservedly led as Bobby Clark drove home from the edge of the area in the first half.

The game turned when Derby's Dion Sanderson was shown a second yellow card and the Blades piled on the pressure for the last quarter of the game.

That paid off as Bamford bundled in his fifth league goal of the season before being forced off with a shoulder injury, and in a frantic finale returning Rams keeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom produced two remarkable saves to deny Tyrese Campbell and Sydie Peck.

The return of Zetterstrom, after four matches out, has been a bright moment for the Rams following a run of injury problems which saw them forced to start Ryan Nyambe at centre-back, but they were on the front foot in the first half at Bramall Lane.

Michael Cooper was the busier goalkeeper, coming up with vital stops to deny Clark and Henrik Meister, but he could do nothing when John Eustace's side carved the home side open in the 37th minute.

Sammie Szmodics slid a sharp pass to put Ryan Hedges in on goal, and when his shot bounced back off the post, Clark was on hand to place his shot clear of the two defenders on the line.

Disgruntled Blades manager Chris Wilder sent on Peck and Femi Seriki in the second half, but it was an unnecessary second booking for Sanderson which changed the momentum of the game.

Seriki was leading a counter-attack on halfway but there was no imminent danger as Sanderson bundled into his back, leaving referee Steve Martin with no option but to produce the yellow again.

Derby were forced into more defensive shuffles, with striker Carlton Morris briefly filling in at centre-back before former Blade Jack Robinson, signed last week, made his debut off the bench as the Rams placed their backs to the wall.

Blades sub Romelle Donovan, on loan from Brentford, made a difference, forcing the first of several brilliant saves from Zetterstrom before setting up the equaliser with 11 minutes remaining.

He curled in a dangerous left-footed cross from the right side of the area which evaded everyone, apart from Bamford, who took a whack off Zetterstrom as he forced the ball over the line and had to leave the field for treatment.

The rest of the game was about Zetterstrom denying a rampaging home side, getting low to keep out Peck's shot, miraculously turning Campbell's skidding low shot on to the bar and then keeping out a Harrison Burrows effort which seemed destined for the net.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"We should win that game from the position we were in, especially in the second half. We took advantage of them going down to 10 men. We had them camped and their goalkeeper made some outstanding saves.

"I'm more disappointed about the first-half performance to be honest because it was a big opportunity. We had talked about the situation the opposition are in.

"I've been pleased with the performances and results since the international break, and I just wasn't happy regarding the approach. The players thought the game would come to them."

Derby County head coach John Eustace told BBC Radio Derby:

"What a fantastic battling performance, to go down to 10 men at this place and stick in there. Obviously, we're disappointed to concede in the way we did, with the ball to the far post and not doing our jobs, and that can affect things.

"Overall, we played some fantastic football, defensively we were really strong and in the second half just before the sending-off I felt we were in control.

"The group are an amazing group to work with, very honest, and whoever plays out there gives their best. We've lacked a bit of quality at times and played some very good teams, but today we were able to bring two or three top Championship players into the group."