NIGEL Clough praised the character of Richard Keogh after the Derby County skipper's costly error against Blackburn Rovers.
Keogh's mistake just before half-time let in Colin Kazim-Richards to give Blackburn the lead in Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie.
Scott Dann scored the visitors' second goal after 66 minutes before Jordan Rhodes struck five minutes later to complete Rovers' 3-0 victory.
Clough said Keogh's error was a key moment but also stressed it was a rare slip by the defender.
"I think Richard has made only two or three mistakes in 30 games all season," added the manager.
"He came in at half-time and held his hand up but I thought he played very well in the second half, which shows the strength of his character.
"The timing of the goal, just before half-time, changed the nature of the game."
Striker Theo Robinson was missing from the squad on Saturday due to a bout of tonsillitis.
Jamie Ward and Mark O'Brien were substituted as a precaution when Derby trailed 3-0.
It was Ward's second start since missing more than three months with hamstring trouble and O'Brien's groin tightened up.
Craig Bryson completed the game having struggled in recent weeks with a knee injury.
"He seemed OK," said Clough. "We kept asking him if he was all right.
"We were going to bring him off as well, just in case, but I think he needed 90 minutes."
Jake Buxton could join in training later this week as he steps up his recovery from a knee injury.
The defender has been sidelined since the home victory over Leeds United on December 8.
