Darnell puts the block on Derby

The right-back blocked a shot from David Nugent, the former PNE favourite having been presented with an open goal early in the second half.

“I was just trying to get back on the line,” said Fisher.

“To be honest it just hit me really, I didn’t know too much about it.

“I managed to stop a goal but unfortunately Derby got the penalty a bit later which they scored with.”

Fisher was North End’s best performer at Pride Park on a night when the team did not quite click.

They went down to a Matej Vydra penalty, one awarded after Paul Huntington tangled with Curtis Davies at a corner.

Reflecting on the game, Fisher said: “We knew it was going to be a hard game.

“I think we started the game all right and maybe had the better opportunities in the first half.

“Derby had a strong spell at the start of the second half which as the home team you would have expected them to have.

“I think for the penalty the crowd got on to the ref a bit and he caved in.

“I don’t think we would have got that given against us at Deepdale.

“At the corner we were just trying to get touch-tight, we weren’t really pulling them.”

Next up for North End is a home clash with Reading on Saturday – which will have some local interest for Fisher.

The 23-year-old said: “I’m from Reading but they were not the team I supported, I liked Arsenal as a kid.

“Hopefully we can bounce back from the Derby game with a good result.

“I’m enjoying myself here, I’ve settled in well and the lads are a great bunch – they’ve been very welcoming.

“I was told before I signed what a good set of lads they were here and that is the case.

“I’ve played at a few clubs and this dressing room is up there with the best.”