Henrik Ojamaa was the hero as Derby's reserves earned their first win of the 2007/08 season - from their last game.

The Estonian striker was playing in a deeper midfield role at the Pirelli Stadium but revelled there and fired home a stunning strike on 13 minutes for the only goal of the game.

But a wider winning margin would not have flattered the young Rams side who dominated for long periods and could easily have extended their advantage.

They weren't without the odd scare at the other end but Ben Hinchliffe in the first half and Jake Kean in the second were barely tested as Derby ended the Premier Reserve League (South) season in style.

Derby started brightly and looked well set to open the scoring early through Paris Simmons, who saw his shot saved by Colin Doyle, and with three minutes on the clock Simmons was close to reaching Tyron Amory's low cross.

The number ten was looking lively early on and his persistence created another chance on eight that was once again saved by Doyle.

Derby eventually - and deservedly - opened the scoring in stunning style on 13 minutes.

Birmingham failed to clear after Ryan Connolly caused chaos inside the box and the ball eventually bounced out to Henrik Ojamaa, who smashed home a superb half-volley from 25 yards.

It was no less than their start warranted and it was just what they were looking for in search of a first win of the season.

Derby were well on top in the early stages with Ben Hinchliffe untroubled in goal, thouogh at times they almost played themselves into trouble with some wayward passing near their own goal.

The visitors' best chance arrived just after the half-hour mark as Robert Gradwell rose to meet a free-kick but headed safely wide.

Greg Mills might have done better with a quick break on 42 and shortly before half-time Jason Beardsley sent Anthony Robertson away, but the substitute blazed his shot over while under pressure.

The Rams had already lost goalscorer Ojamaa to injury in the first half and they were forced into another change at the interval as Hinchliffe couldn't continue and was replaced by Jake Kean.

But they almost doubled their lead within minutes of the restart as Mills volleyed wide after being fed by Beardsley's fine cross.

And a third enforced change followed on 51 with Aaron Dillon taking over from Mills, who was struggling after an accidental collision with a Birmingham centre-half.

Robertson and Simmons both came close to doubling Derby's lead though at the other end they had a scare when a last-ditch Jermaine Johnson block deflected Jamie Sheldon's effort wide.

Dillon's first act was to dart down the right and pick out Robertson with a superb cross that the teenager chose to volley first-time when he could have taken a touch, and his effort went sailing over the bar.

It was still all Derby but they had an almighty escape on 70 as Luke Hubbins broke clear of the offside trap but was forced wide by Kean and Beardsley got back to block his effort on the line.

Robertson, Simmons and Amory all had good chances to extend the lead - the latter after being fed by Robertson, only to see Doyle tip his powerful shot over the bar.

Robertson might have made it 2-0 at the death, Hubbins and Sheldon could have made it 1-1, but victory was ultimately Derby's - and how they deserved it.

RAMS: Ben Hinchliffe (Jake Kean HT), Luke Garton, Jason Beardsley (C), Jack Booth, Mark Dudley, Jermaine Johnson, Greg Mills (Aaron Dillon 51), Tyron Amory, Henrik Ojamaa (Anthony Robertson 33), Paris Simmons, Ryan Connolly.

SUBS: Aaron Cole, Oscar Short.

BIRMINGHAM: Colin Doyle (C), Jack Rutter, Shaun Timmins, Dan Preston, Jacob Rowe, Ashley Sammons, Luke Hubbins, Jordan Mutch (James O'Brien 80), James McPike (Luke Rowe HT), Robert Gradwell, Jamie Sheldon.

SUBS: Dean Lyness.

ATTENDANCE: 237.

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