STEVE Parkin dedicated Wanderers’ hard-earned 1-0 victory over in-form Derby County to Stephen Darby.

Craig Noone’s first-half header sealed a shock result against a team which had dumped Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup in midweek.

And the three points were given added poignancy with the fact Darby – diagnosed with motor neurone disease and forced to retire from football earlier this month – was watching from the stands.

Noone celebrated his goal by leaping into the stands and hugging his team-mate and Parkin admitted his presence lifted the dressing room prior to kick-off.

“I think they know what type of guy he is, he loves to win, and it gave us a lift that he was here today to watch the game,” he said.

“It was important we made a statement at home but you could see what the goal meant to someone like Noone, who has got really close to him while he has been here.

“It’s a fitting result for Stephen, how hard the team worked.”

Wanderers took the lead after 10 minutes when Will Buckley – who had already missed one decent chance - wriggled free on the left, crossing for Noone to head past Scot Carson from eight yards out.

They had to rely on defensive organisation to keep their visitors at bay and enjoyed less than 20 per cent possession in the first half.

But Derby struggled to create clear-cut chances and could count themselves lucky when Buckley was seemingly brought down by Craig Forsyth on the edge of the box, only for referee Scott Duncan to rule no foul.

Jack Hobbs, Pawel Olkowski and David Wheater made crucial clearances in front of goal when Frank Lampard’s side threatened to break through and Remi Matthews – in for the injured Ben Alnwick – had to be quick off his line to snatch the ball at the feet of David Nugent.

Wanderers improved as an attacking force in the second half, helped by the impressive Noone and Buckley on either wing, and Erhun Oztumer’s busy performance in the middle.

Ref Duncan further infuriated the home crowd by waving away a second penalty appeal from Buckley, plus one from Oztumer.

The game surged from one end to the other - Carson saving from Buckley and Harry Wilson seeing an effort deflected just wide of the post.

Hobbs made a goal-saving challenge on Waghorn with 10 minutes to go, exemplifying Wanderers’ defensive efforts but in the dying stages Matthews was called upon to make a fine save with his feet as Mason Mount tried to steal in at the far post.

“We’ve talked long and hard about the home form and we just wanted to put things in place that the lads could hold on to and get it going,” said Parkin, covering for Phil Parkinson, who had lost his voice during the game.

“I must say we knew they were going to have lots of possession, we knew they were going to play out from the back, you can’t stop that because technically they are so good. But you can be resolute in defence, have a good shape about you, and have a good group work ethic. We were magnificent in that respect.

“Really, we might have nicked another one or two towards the end, and Remi has been called upon to make a good save at the end but hasn’t had anything more to do.”