Battling Burnley became Derby County's latest victims as County continued their promotion push at Pride Park.

But that was only half the story as Premiership referee Mike Riley showed the red card three times - to Burnley midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba and, controversially, both managers!

Steve Howard's fourth minute header was ultimately the difference between the two sides, on a night when Burnley more than matched the Championship table-toppers.

However, despite a late second half assault that saw Stephen Bywater twice deny Kyle Lafferty and the Irish teenager miss a third glorious opportunity to earn a credible point, the Clarets again left empty handed ... with Riley hogging the headlines.

Burnley boss Steve Cotterill handed Joey Gudjonsson his full Burnley debut at Pride Park. The Icelandic midfielder replaced Chris McCann in midfield as one of three changes to the side that lost to Stoke City last time out.

Lafferty started on the left of a five-man midfield, while John McGreal replaced Frank Sinclair in defence.

County made six changes from their FA Cup victory over Bristol Rovers - the sixth win in succession for Billy Davies' in-form side. And within four minutes, the Rams made the crucual breakthrough.

Djemba-Djemba was harshly penalised 35 yards from goal and when David Jones swung over the resulting free kick from the left flank, Howard got the wrong side of marker Michael Duff and found the bottom corner with a precise stooping header.

Gudjonsson picked out Ade Akinbiyi as the Clarets sought an instant response. But the striker's poor first touch took him away from goal and the chance went begging.

Derby were soon back on the attack and after Mike Pollitt got a crucial glove to Gary Teale's cross, the hosts were a whisker away from doubling their lead.

Stephen Pearson picked out Craig Fagan with a peach of a pass inside right back Wayne Thomas and the former Hull City striker's first time shot beat Pollitt, but rebounded to safety off the left hand upright.

The alert Pollitt then saved well at his near post from Jones' header as Burnley battled to stay in touch.

But Gudjonsson, who arrived at Burnley with a reputation for shooting on sight, had other ideas and he forced Bywater into preventative measures for the first time on the half hour mark.

The midfielder fancied his chances from a dead ball situation 30 yards out and the County keeper did well to get both gloves to the viciously dipping ball.

Thomas limped out of the action with a minute of the half remaining, with substitute Stephen Foster slotting in at right back.

And that was the final action of a half that saw Burnley easing their way back into the game following a disastrous start.

The Clarets started the second half as they finished the first and in the 50th minute Elliott's cross found James O'Connor, whose lack of inches meant he could not keep his header down to trouble Bywater.

Riley, whose first half refereeing performance had left much to be desired, raised the temperature inside Pride Park further just before the hour mark by sending County manager Davies to the stands after he dared to contest a dubious decision.

Burnley, meanwhile, tried to keep their cool amid the bedlam and in the 65th minute, they created another opening.

Foster's clever header found Lafferty lurking on the edge of the 'D' and the Clarets teenager took a touch before firing a low skidding drive that Bywater saved well.

Alan Mahon replaced Elliott with 25 minutes remaining, allowing Lafferty to join Akinbiyi in attack.

And Mahon was instantly in the thick of the action, sliding in Foster for a clear-cut chance that the defender blazed over the bar from the right side of the area.

Lafferty found his range again with 13 minutes remaining, but after a neat move Bywater was again equal to his goalbound drive.

Burnley were now making all the running as County, with 16 single-goal victories to their name this season, looked to inch their way towards another three points.

But when the big chance fell to Lafferty with six minutes remaining, the rookie striker somehow fired wide from 18 yards.

There was just time for Riley to have the last say, first ridiculously red-carding Djemba-Djemba for an innocuous foul in no-man's land on matchwinner Howard.

And with seconds remaining, Clarets boss Cotterill joined Davies in the stands, sent there by the over-zealous referee after a touchline exchange with former Clarets defender Mo Camara.

Burnley: Pollitt: Harley (McCann 88), Duff, McGreal, Thomas (Foster 45), Elliott (Mahon 65), Djemba-Djemba, Gudjonsson, J O'Connor, Lafferty, Akinbiyi.
Subs: Coyne, G O'Connor

Booked: Mahon 74, Djemba-Djemba 84, Foster 85, Harley 87

Sent off: Djemba-Djemba 90

Derby: Bywater, Edworthy, Camara, Leacock, Jones, Howard, Fagan, Oakley, Moore, Pearson, Teale (Bisgaard 61).
Subs: Johnson, Peschisolido, Lupoli, Malcolm.

Booked: Oakley 33, Fagan 44

Ref: M Riley

Att: 23,122