Barnsley had the better of the first half chances with Reuben Noble-Lazarus, Danny Rose, Brad Kilburn and Toni Silva all having efforts at goal. Derby's keeper Atkins made sure nothing got passed him as the Rams showed signs at the other end they posed threats of their own. Within the first five minutes Derby had a good opportunity when Jacobs cross somehow missed Wixted and Thomas who were trying to get into position.
At the end of the first half Toni Silva's shot was pushed away by Atkins for a corner, but unfortunately Barnsley could not capitalise on their chances in the first half as the two sides remained goalless.
The rain, which had been falling steadily throughout the opening 45 minutes, became harder in the second half.
Derby had two good chances early in the second half as Doyle twice shot inches wide of Alnwick's post.
The opening goal came on 57 minutes through an own goal as Derby's Hoganson's corner was flicked on by Thomas at the near post and seemed to rebound of a Barnsley player into the goal.
A few minutes later, with the Reds in search of an equaliser, Knight forced Atkins into a decent save.
The game was settled on 71 minutes when John Rooney gave away a free kick 22 yards out and Jamie Hanson stepped up to fire the ball into the top corner.
Five minutes later Rooney came close to pulling a goal back but his 30 yard shot brought out a low save from Hanson.
It was a hard fought game from both sides with the conditions playing their part in a difficult encounter, but it was the Rams who took the spoils.
Reds starting XI: Alnwick, Stead, Scott, Kilburn, Jones, Patterson, Rooney, Silva, Rose, Noble-Lazarus, Knight.
Derby starting XI: Atkins; Hayes, Lelan, Hanson, Hoganson; Wixted, Smith, Dales, Jacobs; Doyle, Thomas.
