Forest Women fall to defeat in front of record crowd at The City Ground.
Carly Davies made one change from the side that defeated Wolves in the League Cup as Olivia Cook replaced Hayley James in defence.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring as Yasmin Mosby fired home from close range.
The Reds almost had an instant equaliser as Lyndsey Harkin’s corner reached Mollie Green whose strike was tipped over the bar.
Derby doubled their lead in the 10th minute via an Eleanor Ashton goal.
With the game approaching the half-hour mark Forest almost reduced the deficit as Holly Manders’ cross hit the woodwork.
The Reds continue to push for a goal as Freya Thomas and Johnson both come close with their efforts.
Emily Batty produced an excellent save to deny Ashton her second of the afternoon with ten minutes remaining in the first half.
With the opening 45 coming to a close Becky Anderson was fouled in the box and awarded a penalty; Manders made no mistake from 12 yards as the hosts went into the break one goal behind.
Half-time: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Derby County
In a quiet opening to the second half Forest pushed for the equaliser with the best opportunity falling to Manders, who fired wide from close range.
Carly Davies looked to the bench with 15 minutes remaining in the match as Charlotte Greengrass and Sophie Domingo were introduced with Laura-Jayne O’Neill and goalscorer Manders leaving the field.
Emily Batty found Domingo with a brilliant ball over the top of the Derby defence, the forward played in Greengrass who fired her strike over the bar.
Chloe Dixon was introduced in the final minutes although The Reds couldn’t find the equaliser at The City Ground.
Full-time: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Derby County