Rovers fell to a 4-0 defeat at Pride Park, as Derby County ran out comfortable winners.

Rovers were forced to make changes from last weekend's win over Cheltenham Town. Dylan McGeouch and Connor Wickham were both absent through illness, while Myles Peart-Harris missed out with a minor foot injury.

However, Ian Burchnall did name David Davis, Udoka Godwin-Malife and Matty Stevens on the bench.

The Rams took an early lead thanks to Mendez-Laing, who curled a left-footed effort into the bottom corner after five minutes.

Paul Warne's side doubled their advantaged after 20 minutes. Max Bird's low pull back across the face of goal was tapped home by McGoldrick.

Rovers had a golden chance just after the half hour mark. Corey O'Keeffe worked some space down the right hand side and provided a sublime cross for Bryan Fiabema, but the young Norwegian headed over the bar.

Derby could have gone into the interval with a greater advantage, but Luke McGee was at his best to keep out a fantastic volleyed effort from Bird.

The Rams continued to threaten early in the second half - with Mendez-Laing nodding onto the post from a Bird free-kick, with Collins putting a follow-up shot just wide.

McGoldrick doubled his tally and added Derby's third in the 69th minute - arrowing a strike past McGee from just inside the box.

The former Sheffield United striker secured his hat-trick three minutes from time. His header was tipped onto the post by McGee, but Derby's number 10 converted the rebound.