Nahki Wells could not add to his season’s tally as Huddersfield Town’s seven-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 3-2 defeat away to Derby County.

Wells, the 24-year-old Bermuda striker, has hit a rich vein of form since being brought back into the side by Chris Powell, his manager, notching his ninth goal of the season in Huddersfield’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

But it was a tougher assignment at the iPro Stadium despite some more encouraging link-up play with Grant Holt, his strike partner.

Jordon Ibe put Derby into the lead in the seventh minute before Wells combined with Holt to set up Harry Bunn for a well-worked equaliser 15 minutes later.

Huddersfield’s hopes of going into the break on level terms against Steve McLaren’s side were dashed when Johnny Russell restored the home team’s advantage.

In the 77th minute Derby looked to have made the game safe thanks to Simon Dawkins’ strike before Wells was replaced by Martin Paterson with five minutes remaining.

Huddersfield at least made sure the closing moments were nervy for Derby, who moved into fourth place thanks to the win, when Mark Hudson headed in Radoslaw Majewski’s cross in injury time.

Powell said: “Losing is not a good feeling, but I have to look back on our unbeaten run with a lot of pride. Even tonight at times I can be proud.”

He added: “We had some really good chances in the second-half. Equally so did they, but Nahki had one blocked on the line; Danny [Ward] had a shot, Martin Paterson a chance, Harry Bunn hit one over the bar; we did have chances.

“We came here tonight and were brave in playing with two strikers. It could have paid off, but in the end it hasn’t. We’ll learn from it.”