Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the day's early Championship kickoff between MK Dons and Derby County.

The Rams have made an indifferent start to their campaign, though recent back-to-back wins on the road offer firm signs of improvement. It has now been five games without a win for Karl Robinson's men, meanwhile, which has seen them slip perilously close to the danger zone.

There is plenty to get through between now and kickoff at 12:30pm, so let's get straight into things by checking out some team news from Stadium MK.

TEAM NEWS!

MK DONS XI: Martin; Spence, McFadzean, Kay, Lewington; Poyet, Forster-Caskey; Baker, Reeves, Murphy; Church

DERBY COUNTY XI: Carson; Christie, Keogh, Shackell, Warnock; Russell, Baird, Johnson, Butterfield, Ince; Martin

The big team news as far as the home side are concerned is the inclusion of Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jake Forster-Caskey. The talented England Under-21s international has seen playing time hard to come by at The Amex, but a switch to Buckinghamshire could now do him the world of good.

JFC comes into the mix as one of four changes made by boss Karl Robinson, who has opted to retain faith in Simon Church up top for this one. Ben Reeves and Josh Murphy also start, with Jordan Spence the final alteration from last time out. That means Lee Hodson, Cristian Benavente, Daniel Powell and Sergio Aguza all drop out.

In terms of the visiting side, Paul Clement has made three changes to his starting lineup on the back of the goalless draw against Burnley last Monday. Stephen Warnock returns at the back, while skipper Chris Baird and influential wideman Tom Ince have both overcome their respective injury problems.

Cyrus Christie makes his 150th career appearance this afternoon, with 49 of those previous run-outs coming in the white of Derby County. There is no place in the matchday squad for George Thorne, meanwhile, but Craig Forsyth and Andreas Weimann are both among the Rams' subs.

BENCH WATCH!

MK DONS SUBS: Burns, Hodson, Bowditch, Powell, Hall, Gallagher, Maynard

DERBY COUNTY SUBS: Grant, Shotton, Forsyth, Hanson, Hendrick, Weimann, Bent

Another of the new players brought in by Robinson, ex-Cardiff City striker Nicky Maynard, is likely to play a part from the bench for MK Dons this afternoon. Promising Southampton youngster Sam Gallagher is another who can certainly provide some attacking quality from the bench for the hosts, while Derby County have proven quality in the likes of former Aston Villa duo Andreas Weimann and Darren Bent.

Chris Baird returns at the back for Derby County as they aim to make it three away wins on the bounce in the Championship

© Getty Images

Well the Dons found themselves badly out of form prior to their midweek meeting with Southampton, but that 6-0 thrashing on home soil will surely have dented confidence even more in the camp. As well as going five games without a win in the Championship - including four defeats on the bounce - it has been a sorry tale for Robinson's men up both ends of the field.

Only Preston North End and Bolton Wanderers have scored fewer that the Dons' weak tally of seven goals this term, which is best summed up by their league-low of 23 shots on target. The recent capture of Maynard on a free may help to rectify that issue, but defensively the problems still exist also.

DID YOU KNOW? The Buckinghamshire outfit have conceded at least two goals in each of their last four games. Furthermore, to add to the problems, they have also yet to recover after falling a goal behind in the Championship.

Derby may not be losing games in the same manner as their opponents, with just the one loss all term, but they must start turning draws into wins. The Burnley stalemate on Monday night only prolonged their winless run on home soil, meaning that points on the road seem to be the Rams' best bet at the moment.

Derby remain very much in the mix in terms of the chasing pack of teams vying for a playoff place, but the target for Clement's expensively assembled side has got to be automatic promotion. Anything less than a win here today against an out-of-form side and questions will seriously be asked of the former Real Madrid chief.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Incredibly, this afternoon's encounter provides the first ever meeting between these two sides. That may be a rarity in football, but the Dons' short-term existence (as the newly-formed team, at least), means that we are about to witness a first at the Stadium MK.

We are just moments away from kickoff in Buckinghamshire, as both teams emerge from the tunnel. I'm expecting an entertaining contest this afternoon, but this is one that Derby really should be coming out on top of.

PHOTO: Here come the teams... #MKDvDER pic.twitter.com/lo0SfkAVWL — MK Dons FC (@MKDonsFC) September 26, 2015

KICKOFF! Derby County get us underway against an MK Dons side looking get their campaign back on track following a shaky month or so. Do they have enough in them to ask any questions of the Rams this afternoon?

MK Dons are the side on top in the opening few minutes, earning themselves a corner which the visitors just cannot clear. It falls nicely to Kay around 10 yards from goal, but he absolutely thumps his effort over the bar.

Christie's power through the middle of the field helps Derby launch a promising attack, but Kay was across well to deny Ince any sort of shooting position. An open feel to this contest in these early stages.

These two sides are among the worst in the division when it comes to opening the scoring in games, which does not bode all that well for this one in truth. It appears to be a case of both weighing each other up at the moment.

I mentioned a little earlier that there is an open feel to this match, yet it has hardly been very flat so far. Plenty of chasing and harrying, but very little quality thus far.

Church aims to pick out a teammate with his ball across the face of goal, which passed by with no great concern to Derby. Baker's shot is well blocked away on the edge of the box, meanwhile, as Derby look to soak up some pressure.

SHOT! The first shot on goal of the afternoon comes via last season's top scorer Chris Martin. The ball fell to him inside the area and, after no MK Dons player fully closed him down, he got a tame attempt on target which his namesake easily kept out.

Forster-Caskey, in what is his first game for the Dons, has a chance to deliver a dangerous ball into the box for his side, only for his cross to go straight out of play. Huge disappointment, that.

DISALLOWED GOAL! A very well-worked move from the Dons culminates in Forster-Caskey slipping in Church, who coolly places the ball past Carson. The flag was raised on the far side, though, and replays show that it was clearly the correct call from the officials.

The home side are very much on top at the moment, as Josh Murphy - with one goal to his name this season - blasting over from range. That came after Spence's run down the right caused a few problems at the back for Derby, who are having to sit back a little more than they would have liked.

Paul Clement's men just cannot get a grip on things at the moment, constantly failing to mount any sort of attack as the Dons continue to push on. An encouraging start from the hosts.

SAVE! A superb stop from Carson is all that stands between MK Dons and a one-goal lead. They have been good value for a goal, and they probably should have had it when Church rifled a volley from close range, which the Rams stopper instinctively kept out.

SAVE! This game has certainly come to life over these past few minutes, with Derby this time coming close to making a breakthrough. A promising counter saw Ince slide in Martin on the right, and the striker got in a low drive on goal which his namesake kept out well with his legs.

YELLOW CARD! Jacob Butterfield is shown the game's first booking for his challenge on Forster-Caskey. Still goalless at Stadium MK, but a breakthrough goal appears to be imminent.

Robinson's side have had trouble putting the ball in the net all season, which appears to be the case once more today. They have deserved a goal on the basis of the opening half-hour of play, but they are failing to make the most of any openings falling their way.

Wales international Church is looking lively, getting on the end of Lewington's cross into the box but once more failing to get the better of Carson who pounced on the ball a few yards out.

This graphic gives me a headache, but it explains both sides' troubles this season (I think...)

Derby's finishing has been somewhat wasteful so far, but they should get plenty of chances against MK Dons: pic.twitter.com/HumNIARnL4 — Ben Mayhew (@experimental361) September 26, 2015

Things have gone quiet again on the field. Derby and MK Dons have each had decent openings, yet it is the hosts who have looked the better in an attacking sense as we enter the final 10 minutes of the half.

Some good work by Russell down the right sees him get a cross into the box, which is only cleared as far as Butterfield who lets rip. McFadzean put his body on the line to block the effort before it could make its way through to the target.

Ben Reeves has an attempt from the edge of the box, which deflects over. The subsequent corner in met by full-back Lewington, who did not appear to know too much about it, with the ball ending in the side-netting.

CHANCE! Derby showing signs of growing back into the match, as Johnson's long ball is controlled brilliantly by Ince. The Englishman had the angle against him, and in the end he could not force a save out of Martin between the sticks when one-on-one.

Derby's best hope of a breakthrough appears to be on the counter, particularly through Tom Ince who is always a threat when left one-on-one with an opponent. MK Dons have edged this first half overall, but have no goal to show for their earlier efforts.

MK Dons having to do a little defending as the end of the half approaches, yet no real sign of a goal arriving before the break. One minute to be added on here.

All square at the break, then, as the dons' scoring troubles continue. They have been the side on top for large parts of those opening 45 minutes, coming particularly close through Simon Church's effort a quarter of the way through.

Church was the favourite to find the back of the net from just a few yards out, but Carson somehow stuck out an army to deflect the ball aside. The Welshman also had the ball in the back of the net a few minutes beforehand, only for the flag to rightly be raised for offside.

Derby's best chance fell to Tom Ince five minutes before the break, but he could only fire over when in a promising position up against David Martin. The Rams' only other opening came early on when Chris Martin saw his tame effort easily kept out.

BENCH WATCH!

MK DONS SUBS: Burns, Hodson, Bowditch, Powell, Hall, Gallagher, Maynard

DERBY COUNTY SUBS: Grant, Shotton, Forsyth, Hanson, Hendrick, Weimann, Bent

It looks increasingly likely that substitutions could play a big part this afternoon, so here is a reminder of both sides' back-up options. Andreas Weimann and Darren Bent in particular can provide the Rams with an attacking threat, while Nicky Maynard will be raring to go for his new side.

RESTART! We are back underway at Stadium MK, with both teams remaining unchanged from the goalless first half.

Very little has happened in the early stages of this second half if truth be told. It was a similar case in the first half, but it appears to be the Dons who have come out the more fired up.

Reeves swings in a decent delivery from a right-sided free kick, which is headed away before it can reach Kay towards the back post. MK Dons, much like the first half, are asking all of the big questions at the moment.

Reeves goes on a superb burst through the middle, taking on a couple of opposition players in the process before being brought to ground by Shackell. Surprisingly no booking for the Derby defender.

If you do not take your chances, you will not win games. Bradley Johnson has punished MK Dons, who have been the better side so far, by tucking home from 19 yards out. Warnock picked the summer signing out on the edge of the box, leaving Johnson to just place the ball beyond Martin's reach.

Johnson really will prove to be a superb purchase for Derby, as will Butterfield who joined on the same day from Huddersfield. Both men were crowned Player of the Year at their respective clubs last year, and are now tasked with turning County's fortunes around.

Questions are being asked of that Derby goal, or more specifically whether it should have stood due to Chris Martin's possible infringement. The Derby striker was stood just a yard or so from David Martin in an offside position, but the referee decided that he did not play a part in the move. Have to agree with that verdict.

YELLOW CARD! Cyrus Christie becomes the second player to enter the referee's book for a foul in midfield.

This match deserved goals, and this second half has provided us with a couple already. Moments after falling behind, Norwich City loanee Murphy levels up by latching on to Forster-Caskey's cross and firing home from close range. The ball got stuck under his feet a little, but he had enough time to finally get a shot in and left Carson with little chance.

MK Dons are pushing on for a second now and very nearly got one thanks to Baker's 20-yard drive. The ball ended just a few yards from goal, as Derby ride this little wave of pressure.

CHANCE! A glorious chance for Dons to take the lead, just 10 minutes after initially falling behind. church was in behind the Derby defence and had Murphy to square to in front of goal, but he somehow failed to pick out his teammate with a poor pass. Incidentally, Weimann has replaced Butterfield for the visitors.

OFF THE POST! MK Dons just cannot get that all-important second goal! Lewington is the latest to come close, heading the ball on target at the back post, only for Carson to get a hand to the ball and help it onto the post.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Both teams have opted to make an attacking change of sorts; Maynard coming on in place of Church for his league debut and Hendrick replacing Baird for the visitors.

PENALTY APPEAL! It's all happening now in the highly entertaining second half at Stadium MK. Murphy burst through on goal, getting to the ball in front of Carson but went to ground once the former England international laid his hands on him. It was minimal contact - certainly not enough to go down - which earns the Norwich loanee a yellow card.

Ince curls one wide of the target when picked out by Martin, which is pretty much the only real action over these past couple of minutes. Let's just hope the goalmouth action we previously witnessed soon resumes.

This man was desperate for all three points this afternoon; another draw will now be enough for Derby County in their pursuit of automatic promotion

© Getty Images

Following on from that previous point - this will make it six league draws in nine outings for Derby should the scoreline remain as it is. MK Dons are themselves looking for maximum points in order to climb away from the drop zone.

A little over 10 minutes to go here and, following an entertaining spell of 25 minutes or so, things have quietened down all of a sudden. Both teams want a second goal, but it is looking unlikely to arrive at the moment.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Darren Bent has been introduced for the final stages of this match in place of Martin, while Reeves is replaced by Robert Hall for the hosts.

OFF THE BAR! Derby have finally found another gear as we enter the final seven minutes, as Weimann gets in behind but fails to pick out a teammate. The Dons never fully recovered, and from the next attacking wave Russell unleashed a superb strike from range which crashed back off the frame of the goal.

Hearts in mouths time for Dons fans as Johnson causes danger and crosses for Bent, only for Kay to get his head to the ball first. It looks like the hosts will settle for the point at this stage, which will certainly not be the worst result.

MK DONS SUB! Bowditch comes on for Baker in the final alteration of the afternoon. Four minutes left to play in Buckinghamshire.

Derby the side in possession at the moment, patiently looking to find a way through a compact Dons defence. Could there be a late twist in this one?

Derby have surely won this contest in the final minute of normal time! I mentioned how they were patiently looking to find a way through, well they done exactly that with a fine team move. Hendrick picked out the run of Ince, who in turn squared for Bent to tap home from a couple of yards out.

This one is not over quite yet, though, as we still have five minutes left to play at Stadium MK.

The Dons unable to build any momentum at the moment, and they now have just two minutes to rescue themselves a point from a game they do not really deserve to be losing.

Lewington's strike deflects wide, meaning a late corner from MK Dons. Can they make the most of it?...

OFF THE LINE! Incredible! So nearly the most amazing conclusion to this match, as Carson - superb so far today - punches the corner towards his own goal. Weimann was on the line to spare his keeper's blushes, however, and surely earn his side all three points.

Well that wraps things up. Poyet was at fault in the middle, allowing Ince to charge through on goal and smartly tuck the ball beyond Martin. Three away wins on the bounce for the Rams.

Derby County make it three away wins on the bounce, while MK Dons' losing run stretches into a fifth Championship match. That's all we have got time for, but be sure to stick around as we provide live coverage from all of the Premier League's 3pm fixtures.