Derby County goalkeeper Scott Carson thanked Mason Mount for sparing his blushes as the Rams beat table-toppers Sheffield United 2-1 at the iPro on Saturday evening.

With Jack Marriott restoring the home side's lead, the Blades piled on the pressure and came agonisingly close to equalising again as Carson came for a cross but did not reach it, meaning the young Chelsea midfielder had to come to his rescue on the goal-line.

"Great win against a top @SUFC_tweets team," Carson said on Twitter after the match.

"Owe my mate @masonmount_10 a drink when he’s old enough for getting me out the s**t."

The Rams got off to the perfect start and they took the lead with just 19 seconds of the game played as Marriott cleverly laid the ball off to Bryson who made no mistake with his finish.

But Chris Wilder's side were level just before the break when Chris Basham bundled the ball in after finding himself on the end of a John Fleck cut back in the 41st minute.

Marriott was to be the hero, flicking home brilliantly from Craig Forsyth's cross to make it 2-1 on the night and two goals in two league starts for the former Peterborough United striker.

Not without that hairy Carson moment, however, but Mount was well positioned to rectify the rare mistake from the experienced shot-stopper.

The verdict 

I am sure the fans will allow Carson this one hiccup considering how good he has been for them all season.

He has asserted himself as one of the club's most important players this season and will no doubt make up for the error with a terrific display in the coming weeks.