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Hope is not lost for them and Alex Neil, but they'll need to pick up their form sooner rather than later if they want that top six finish.
They have a tough run in, but they will fancy their chances against anyone right now.
Derby were 17th when Rooney joined in January - what a difference he has made.
Full time: Preston 0-1 Derby
They have their fifth victory in a row and move into seventh in the Championship. Preston's poor run continues, however, and they drop to ninth.
He runs almost half the pitch to intercept a ball but it falls to Bird. he goes for goal from distance with Rudd well off his line, but his effort is wide.
They are moments away from a huge three points. Preston need something special.
Derby substitution
Beforehand, Davies was alert to block a threatening cross with Maguire waiting to pounce.
The Rams are so close now.
It's all the hosts right now - they're pretty much camped in the Derby box.
We're about to find out how much stoppage time will be played.
They're having all the possession, but Derby are standing strong.
Clarke clears the cross, before a long throw is also cleared.
Derby are happy to let Preston have the ball, here.
Derby substitution
We are into the final ten minutes of normal time.
Preston substitution
Before, George Evans had to be alert to cut out a Potts cross, before Derby clear a corner.
Barkhuizen almost gets on the end of a Harrop through ball as the two substitutes link up, but the ball runs through to Rudd.
Preston substitutions
A couple of attacking changes from Alex Neil - Harrop has eight goals so far this season, and Barkhuizen has 11.
Preston substitutions
Rooney is of course also a threat in the number 10 role - plenty of versatility in this Rams side.
Waghorn has gone to the right, with Martin now leading the line. Forsyth goes into left back, whilst Lowe moves over to the right. Rooney has also moved further forward with Shinnie dropping in next to Bird.
Derby substitutions
Martin and Shinnie do join the action, too - it's Sibley and Holmes that make way.
Graeme Shinnie and Chris Martin are getting ready to come on, but Craig Forsyth, who has been at the club for nearly seven years, now, is also getting ready to replace Bogle, who can't continue.
Preston substitution
Five changes are allowed for each team, of course.
Derby have quietened the early Preston threat this half. Home changes may be imminent.
Sibley then reaches the byline and wins a corner. Holmes then earns another, but Lowe's effort is over the bar.
Much more encouraging from Preston.
Derby have been spot on defensively bar a couple of nervous moments. They put 11 men behind the ball when they can and are proving very difficult to break down.
A bit of early possession for Preston in this second half will be welcomed by Alex Neil, though.
It probably won't be too long until we see him if the game carries on the way it's been going.
Second half underway
More of the same will be the message from Phillip Cocu to his men.
He and Sibley have had a bit of back and forth so far, and it seemed as if the defender stepped on Sibley when giving away the free kick ahead of Rooney's goal.
Hard to tell if it was deliberate, mind.
The likes of Barkhuizen, Maguire and Stockley can all pose a threat.
Half time: Preston North End 0-1 Derby County
Preston have been restricted to poor efforts from distance, and Phillip Cocu's side look by far the more comfortable side so far.
Plenty for Alex Neil to ponder.
There will be two additional minuted played at the end of the first half.
Gallagher wins a free kick to relieve some away pressure, but Derby have the ball back soon enough.
It's all gone to plan so far, but they will want a second soon.
A great chance for a second goes begging.
The creative midfielder will be sky high in confidence following his hat-trick at Millwall and assist against Reading.
Hughes then fires well over from distance.
Derby keep coming.
A small break in play follows as Alex Browne goes down injured, but he's fine to carry on.
Drinks break
Phillip Cocu will be pleased with what he's seen so far. Alex Neil, maybe not so much.
The Brighton loanee may have got away with one there.
What a huge goal for Derby in their play-off quest. Preston are really struggling to get into the game.
GOAL - Preston 0-1 Derby (Wayne Rooney)
25 yards out, to the right of the box, and the midfielder finds the far corner. Derby lead.
Rooney to take.
Preston's first real sniff, if you could call it that.
Rooney then pings a beautiful ball out to the right and Sibley goes to meet a cross. Referee Jarred Gillet, though, adjudges the teenager to have handled the ball.
Derby have started well.
Jayden Bogle is looking full of energy on the Derby right, though.
A Preston corner is cleared as Nugent falls over.
The corner is, eventually, cleared.
Kick off
Both sides will know the importance of this one. We're almost ready to go.
10 minutes until kick off
It's a tough one to call, today - it promises to be a good one.
A chance to apply the pressure
Neither can break into the top six today, but, with both on 57 points and sixth-placed Cardiff on 61, a winner would give their hopes a huge boost.
Derby swap four
Tom Lawrence is suspended and Andre Wisdom is injured so they both make way, whilst Craig Forsyth and Chris Martin drop to the bench.
George Evans, Duane Holmes, Jason Knight and Max Lowe all come into the XI.
Five changes for Lilywhites
Paul Gallagher returns to skipper the side, and Paul Huntington, Brad Potts, Joe Rafferty, and David Nugent - who faces his former side - all come into the starting XI, replacing Thomas Barkhuizen, Patrick Bauer, Darnell Fisher, Daniel Johnson, and Jayden Stockley.
Derby County: team news
Subs: Roos, Forsyth, Shinnie, Jozefzoon, Martin, Davies, Malone, Whittaker, Hector-Ingram.
Preston North End: team news
Subs: Ripley (GK), Bauer, Fisher, Ledson, Harrop, Bodin, Barkhuizen, Stockley, Maguire.
Given up for the fight
“The big games were the ones that I used to enjoy as a player" he said.
"The bigger the game the better, and the players are really looking forward to the games ahead. They are against teams around us and fighting for top six; we are very much in the mix now.
“I always think these games are better because there is more at stake for both clubs, and we feel that our team can rise to the occasion.”
Neil positive despite tough restart
He said: "Are we disappointed with our recent form? Of course we are, but we've not been poor by any means.
"All we need is another win and then hopefully we can give ourselves an opportunity to go and try and finish as strongly as we can and give ourselves the best chance."
How to watch Preston North End v Derby County live TV and stream
If you want to stream it, your options are Rams TV or iFollow PNE.
If you want to watch it on the internet, VAVEL UK is your best option!
Derby County: predicted lineup
Preston North End: predicted lineup
Derby County: team news
Preston: team news
Derby marching on
A win here would see Phillip Cocu's men continue their fine form as we reach the home straight of the season.
Preston looking to pick up form
A 1-1 draw at then-bottom club Luton preceded a 3-1 defeat at home to Cardiff City on Saturday, so a win against another play off rival here would do Alex Neil's side a world of good.
Kick-off time
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