The January contract priority and Exeter’s response have made Derby County’s incentive very evident.

Latest Derby County news from Derbyshire Live brings you all the talking points from last night’s win over Exeter City

Derby County winger Nathaniel Mende turned in his best performance of the season as he and Conor Washington secured a 2-0 win over Exeter City at Pride Park.

Mendez-Laing struck a wonderful goal to open his account for the season as the Rams bossed possession in the opening 45 minutes of the League One clash. Mendez-Laing finished a fine move which saw Martyn Waghorn spray a ball out wide to Craig Forsyth whose touch to Max Bird was inch-perfect as the midfielder ran into the box. He then unselfishly squared the ball for the winger who lashed past Viljami Sinisalo to give Derby the lead.

Paul Warne’s side had further efforts at goal from distance and in the second half they nearly made it two when Mendez-Laing cut through the Exeter defence only to be denied by Sinisalo at the near post. Martyn Waghorn then saw a shot blocked in the area before the striker headed wide from a Mendez-Laing cross as Derby searched for a second goal.

Mendez-Laing thought he had scored a second when he headed in at the far post after latching onto a Waghorn header, but he was ruled offside when he looked to be on. Substitute James Collins then took a shot at goal with Tom Barkhuizen in acres of space as Derby worked another promising opportunity and the forward put his hand up to apologise.