Derby must score first says Warne after Cardiff loss

Derby County manager Paul Warne believes his side paid the price for not scoring the first goal against Cardiff City as they fell to a 2-1 loss on Saturday.

Despite having more possession throughout the match, the Rams failed to hit the back of the net until Lars-Jorgen Salvesen's header in the 70th minute when they were already two goals down.

"I thought we looked handsome first half and I knew there'd be a reaction second half," Warne told BBC Radio Derby.

"You just have to get the first goal when you're on top. You can't come away from home, be on top for 45 minutes and not score."

Derby's loss in South Wales was their 16th of the season and has even more significance with Cardiff lingering just above them in what is a tight Championship relegation zone before kick off.

"Obviously the scoreline, losing, it's a trend that we need to stop," added Warne.

"I thought in the first half, we were the team in the ascendancy. I thought the chances that they potentially created we caused ourselves really."