George Burley made just the two changes from the side that beat Southend 4-1. Viafara stepped into central midfield with Pele dropping back to replace the injured Claus Lundekvam and fit-again Saganowski replaced two goal hero Leon Best.
Pele may be a cultured footballer but he was no match for the imposing bulk of Derby's Mr Route One, Steve Howard, who won nearly everything in the air against him. Pele's miserable afternoon was compounded by the most foolish of shirt pulls for the penalty, even if he actually grabbed the shirt outside the box.
Overall, despite considerable pressure from Derby on our attack and midfield, Saints restricted the opposition to few chances, with Saints playing the best of football, but Derby taking their chances. How many times have we said that this season?
It was a real mixed bag in midfield with some moments of real quality of Belmadi and Surman balanced against a disjointed display from a Saints midfield that struggled to keep their shape. Credit is due to former Saint Matt Oakley for a cultured performance in the centre of midfield.
Up front Saganowski and Jones proved a good combination, even if the Pole's absence through injury may have just cost him the match sharpness to take his two golden opportunities.
On the Cross verdict
Should we really be surprised that Derby ground out a result against us once more? Yes, Saints played the better football, had more and better chances, but Derby got what they came for - a good result to take back to Pride Park.
As Burley said, you need a bit of luck in the play-offs and it wasn't our day. You could point to two shots hitting the crossbar, a dubious penalty and a decent shout turned down for Kenwyne Jones, but Saints have struggled all season against muscular sides and with the imposing bulk of Darren Powell absent this was no exception.
Derby will be tough to beat at home and you question whether Saints will be able to hang onto a lead when we have struggled to do so all season.
It is of course only half time and with Saints the top scorers in the league away from home and Darren Powell likely to return we should provide a stern test for Derby.
The big concerns for Saints are injuries to two key players for Saints - Kenwyne Jones and Gareth Bale - with Ostlund another doubt. Without Jones' physical threat up front and Gareth's quality on the left flank, will Saints have enough to beat Derby on their home patch? Time will tell.
On our day, if the chances are taken, Saints have the beating of Derby. We now have to go out and do it.
Man of the match: Great performance from Kenwyne Jones which had everything bar goals. Proved a real menace to the muscular Derby defence and was Saints' out ball nearly every time, meaning Saints struggled to hold onto possession after Derby had kicked him off the pitch. Went for power over placement on his one real chance, when a cooler head was required.
Cameo of the day: If you're going to bring him on this late, why bring Gregorz Rasiak on at all? Champing at the bit to get his place back in the side and well up for it against his old club, he was simply not given enough time to make an impression. Nearly got on the end of a punt forward but was adjudged to have fouled the keeper.
Thorn in the side: Hats off to Matt Oakley who returned to St Mary's and showed he is back to his best with a display of real quality in central midfield. Let's hope he does a 'Phil Neville' and scores an own goal ;)