Derby recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory against Championship strugglers Preston North End.
Derby extend impressive run against Preston
Derby recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory against Championship strugglers Preston North End to get themselves further away from danger.
The Rams are now unbeaten in six league fixtures, and have climbed to 12th in the standings after their latest performance.
Derby scored twice in the opening half, to take a comfortable two-goal advantage into the interval. And despite a brief period of promise for the visitors early in the second period, a penalty converted in the final minute by Robbie Savage secured the three points.
Derby made a bright start and the in-form Kris Commons tried his luck from long range after 10 minutes but the forward's strike flashed over the crossbar.
The Rams looked dangerous going forward with their sharp passing and movement and they were in front after 21 minutes.
On-loan Spaniard Alberto Bueno picked out left-back Dean Moxey and his left-footed cross-shot should have been kept out by Andy Lonergan but beat the Lilywhites goalkeeper at his near post.
Tested
A minute later the ball fell for Commons in the penalty area and the former Nottingham Forest man's effort was deflected wide.
Derby goalkeeper Frank Fielding, making his debut after being signed on loan from Blackburn on Friday, was tested for the first time 26 minutes in when he kept out Jon Parkin's strike.
But Derby were in control and they doubled their lead after 32 minutes when Shefki Kuqi headed on for the impressive Bueno, who headed home his third goal for the club from six yards out.
Preston were poor in the first half but they looked more threatening at the start of the second half.
Derby still looked threatening going forward and Commons tried his luck twice early in the second half but failed to hit the target on both occasions.
Pressue
Commons did force Lonergan to make a save after 54 minutes with a free-kick from 25 yards out and the alert Bueno failed to convert the rebound.
Preston then had a spell of pressure and twice tested Fielding.
First Treacy drilled a shot from long range which the on-loan Blackburn youngster palmed away and then Fielding did well to keep out Sean St Ledger's header.
Commons had his best chance of the afternoon with 14 minutes remaining but the former Nottingham Forest man fired wide with just Lonergan to beat.
But Derby had their third goal in the second minute of stoppage time when Anderson was upended by Treacy in the penalty area.
Treacy was shown a red card and Savage stepped up to beat Lonergan from the spot.
