Goals from Joe Ward and Bobby Clark ensured Derby County kicked off their pre-season campaign with a victory against non-league Alfreton Town.

Head coach John Eustace named a strong first XI at the Impact Arena and Derby's quality proved too much for the non-league side who are managed by Derby favourite Jake Buxton.

Ward opened the scoring when Ryan Hedges, who is training with Derby after his exit from Blackburn, teased a delicious cross to the back post from which the winger buried a header into the net.

The lead was doubled when Hedges found Carlton Morris whose clever ball around the corner picked out the run of Bobby Clark who applied a cool finish.

The only downside to the first half was an injury to Hedges as he appeared to jar his ankle when attempting to bring the ball under control in the first half.

Eustace sent out a completely different team in the second half which contained a smattering of the first-team squad with Lars-Jorgen Salvesen and Kenzo Goudmijn among them.

Derby's goal was under little threat but Richard O'Donnell did make a terrific save to deny Charlie Finney before Salvesen was denied at the other end.

Ratings..

Morris turns superbly inside the box, but just can't bend his shot the right side of the post.

Ball hits the side netting although there were some cheers as some thought it was in.

Hedges has had to come off after jarring something while attempting to control a ball on the halfway line. Doesn't look that serious as he's walked down the tunnel. But he was playing ever so well.

Hopefully that doesn't rule him out of the trip to Austria as the lack of wingers is abundantly clear.

Derby have been very comfortable and they've made it 2-0. Hedges finds Morris who turns a lovely ball around the corner for Clark.

The midfielder beats the offside trap, surges through on goal and finds the bottom corner.

We've had a mini break to allow the players to take on some fluids. Alfreton not posed one serious question of Derby's defence so far.

They've had a couple of set-pieces but the delivery has been poor and overhit

Derby have the lead and it's a cracking goal too. Hedges, who has been the standout player so far, breaks free down the left and his cross is absolutely superb as Joe Ward thunders in a powerful header.

But the goal was all about the delivery.

A long ball over the top catches the Alfreton defence square and Morris is through. He tries to go across the goalkeeper, but the pitch does him no favours.

He doesn't catch the ball cleanly and it's a comfortable save.

Clark then follows up with a run into box and is denied.

Has looked bright in the opening few minutes. Happy to come inside and try to get Derby moving.

Derby have looked for a couple of passes that has put the pitch to the test and unsurprisingly it's very firm. A couple of searching balls have gone out of play.

Lovely start from Derby as Fraulo sets Hedges free. He plays a delightful one-two with Clark and finds Travis whose shot is blocked.

Good opening that. Nice and positive.

And welcome from the Impact Arena where Derby get their pre-season campaign under way tonight.

Expecting there will be plenty of first-team players on show as Derby look to brush off the cobwebs following the summer break.

Ryan Hedges could also be given a runout tonight after linking up with Derby for pre-season training. Was released by Blackburn at the end of last season.