Football: MAN FRIDAY; What would I take to a desert island? Probably a bird, food and music, but the boss needs to find a... ..who can do a bit of overtime on Saturday Derby 1 Brighton 1.

Byline: MARTIN ROGERS

PHIL BROWN has been in charge for only a month but has already gone to extreme lengths to ensure Derby's promotion prospects are not washed up on a desert island.

The Rams boss has had to do virtually every job going at the cash-stricken club as financial restraints have left him without an assistant coach or a proper scouting network.

But after last season's play-off semi-finalists were forced to make do with a point in Brown's opening game in charge, skipper Michael Johnson revealed how the manager had still found time for some unconventional pre-season preparation.

Brown asked his players what three items they would take to a desert island, and while his skipper's answer of "a bird, music and food" may not have been quite what he was looking for, it is remarkable that the former Bolton assistant has even found time for such frivolities.

Johnson said: "You can see the strain on the gaffer already. He has to do everything. He is on the training field with us, then 10 minutes later he is in a suit and getting ready to go and see a player.

"He desperately needs someone alongside him that he can trust. I have seen a few managers go grey over a 12-month period and he is already suffering.

"I hope the club sort it for him because I have only worked with him for five weeks but he is definitely top class."

Derby's money problems meant they could not even afford pounds 50,000 to Coventry for Adrian Heath, the man Brown wanted as his No.2.

Despite such crippling restrictions, expectations are still high among Derby supporters that last term's fourth place could yet be matched.

This home draw will not dampen the enthusiasm too much, as four other opening- day matches also ended all-square.

Dean Hammond opened the scoring for Brighton after seven minutes at Pride Park, leaping to head home Jason Dodd's accurate free-kick.

But within five minutes Paul Peschisolido had levelled, thrashing home a powerful strike from just inside the area that flew into the top corner. Brighton narrowly managed to avoid relegation to League One last season and know the importance of a strong start this time around.

Boss Mark McGhee acknowledged this result will not have the Championship gripped with fear, but claimed the away point could take on massive importance later in the campaign.

He said: "There were two aspects that I was pleased with here. First of all, we got a point away from home.

"That may not sound like much but the fact is we needed a point to stay up last season and that could be the point that keeps us up again. Who knows?

"But most importantly it was the performance. This was the sort of effort we planned for and worked for all through pre-season.

"We did not win the game, but we looked the more likely to do so and I am thrilled with the way we have started the season."