MARK PEMBRIDGE got his revenge on his Baseball Ground critics by setting up David Hirst for the goal which denied Derby a precious Premiership victory and extended Sheffield Wednesday's impressive run of results.

Pembridge, who left Derby for Wednesday, was jeered every time he touched the ball on his return but in the 76th minute, he provided a pass that released Hirst who rifled a left-foot shot past Russell Hoult.

Hirst had only been on the field less than a minute and Derby's appeals for offside were in vain as the visitors struck with their first attack of the second half.

The match was heavily influenced by the muddy condition. of the pitch which made passing impossible in parts and the game was only given the all-clear after a late inspection by referee Paul Alcock.

Fortunately, the rain which had lashed across the ground leading up to the kick-off, which was put back to 8pm, eased and both sides had chances in an even first-half with Wednesday drawing first blood.

Wayne Collins scored his first goal since his move from Crewe when he hooked in a right foot shot after hesitation in the Derby defence.

Derby went close on several occasions before Wednesday conceded their first goal in more than six-and-a-half hours of football when Dean Sturridge turned to beat Pressman with a low shot.

The second half was dominated by the home side who went in front in the 71st minute with a goal fashioned and executed in Croatia.

Aljosa Asanovic released Chris Powell whose cross was headed past Pressman by Igor Stimac for his first goal of the season.

But Derby's joy lasted only five minutes as Hirst ploughed through to take Wednesday's unbeaten run to just one defeat in their last 19 games and they could have claimed victory, but for a glaring miss by Andy Booth who headed tamely over six minutes from the end.