An exciting match at Craven Cottage saw Derby’s seven-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday.

But manager Steve McClaren was happy with the point won through defender Alex Pearce’s 71st minute header.

“It was a very good point, it could have been more. A draw was a fair result,” stated the former England manager. “We played so well in the first half, we restricted them and then we scored a goal.

But their goal just before half-time changed the game. The second half was different and it was good to see us come from behind.”

McClaren paid tribute to the players he has transformed since replacing Nigel Pearson in the hot seat.

“What those boys have done in the last seven games is incredible and with seven clean sheets.

“It has got to end sometime and [I’m] pleased it didn’t end with a defeat.”

In stark contrast, Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic couldn’t hide his frustration at the defensive frailties that cost his team a win.

“They scored goals from our mistakes and at this level it is unacceptable,” vented the Fulham manager.

For the first Derby goal, Icelandic defender Ragnur Sigurdsson slipped to let in Tom Ince, who continued his great form in front of goal since McClaren returned to Derby.

Fulham struck back at the end of the half after fine work from Ryan Fredericks presented Floyd Ayite with an open goal.

The unhappy manager replaced Sigurdsson at half-time.

Fulham’s second-half domination was rewarded when Stefan Johansen found the net via a deflection.

But then Fulham again imploded leaving Derby’s big defender Alex Pearce unmarked at a corner.

The opening of the January transfer-window could see Fulham and Derby in another tussle.

Fulham striker Chris Martin has impressed on-loan from Derby, a decision made before McClaren’s return to the Midlands.

The terms of this loan meant that he could not play against his parent club.

As to whether that loan will become a permanent move McClaren acknowledged that Fulham want to keep the striker but Jokanovic had a bit more caution in his tone. “I like him, but so does Steve McClaren.”

His priority is clearly to sort out his soft defence.