EUSTACE HAUNTS HIS FORMER SIDE

'We have enough to beat drop'

- By Nigel Gardner

JOHN Eustace spotted signs of encouragement as his Derby team boosted their survival hopes with a narrow win over his former club Blackburn Rovers.

Eustace is convinced his players have the heart to avoid relegation after his first win since he left Blackburn lifted Derby off the bottom of the Championship.

Craig Forsyth and Ebou Adams put Derby in charge, before Makhtar Gueye reduced the deficit just before the break, but despite dominating for long periods in the second-half, Blackburn could not avoid a defeat which damages their play-off ambitions.

Eustace said: "I thought before the game the team was in a very good place and I can see the group growing.

"I think they are starting to believe in each other more and more.