Matt Reeder reports from Pride Park Stadium

Paul Jewell's men made it seven unbeaten at Pride Park , as they overcame a shock eight minute strike from Paul Gallagher to take the spoils through Rob Hulse and a Karl Duguid own goal.

In perfect conditions for football, Rams boss Paul Jewell named Norwich match-winner Nathan Ellington and Claude Davis at the heart of the Rams defence in place of the suspended Dean Leacock.

Having gained five yellow cards Leacock sits out the game but safe in the knowledge that the defender has agreed a new three and a half year deal with the Rams.

With Roy Carroll suspended goalkeeper Stephen Bywater completed the changes to the starting 11, which allows Welsh stopper Lewis Price a place on the bench along with Australian midfielder Ruben Zadkovich and the returning Kris Commons.

The early exchanges were an even affair with first Plymouth pushing the Rams backwards and forcing some rushed clearances, but the Rams hit back in similar fashion.

However on eights minutes the Pilgrims were ahead in spectacular fashion.

A long punt up-field from Romain Larrieu was only half cleared by the Rams defence and standing 30 yards from goal Paul Gallagher set himself up and unleashed and dipping volley that deceived the stretching Bywater, who could only watch as the ball dropped into the net in front of the University of Derby stand.

The Rams right side were seeing a lot of possession as Nacer Barazite and former Pilgrim Paul Connolly were interchanging well.

It was the Rams captain were carved open the Rams first change on 15 when his out-swinging cross that was met by Rob Hulse, but his header could only be guided over the bar.

A minute later Jewell was forced to make changes as left midfielder Steve Davies was withdrawn due to a suspected fractured cheekbone. This led the way for Kris Commons to make his first appearance since Derby's 2-1 victory over Sheffield United following a niggling hamstring injury.

The shock of the early goal and the withdrawal of Davies seemed to have an adverse effect on the home side as the Rams were unable to let the ball stick - considering their far superior possession in the first quarter.

On the half hour mark the Rams were still pushing the visitors but their 4-5-1 formation was standing firm - only allowing the Rams to a Miles Addison snap-shot and a looping Nathan Ellington header, which was strangely push into the sun from Larrieu before the danger was cleared.

In an attempt to turn the tide Commons and Barazite switch sides and from the right Derby carved an opening for Paul Green, but his chest control was adjudged to be handball as he was about to the pull the trigger on six-yards.

For all of Plymouth's early impetus they did not threaten Bywater's goal, even if loan striker Rory Fallon had been a tough opponent for Claude Davis.

As the fourth official held up three minutes Kris Commons soon found his feet, picking up the ball from Miles Addison he jinxed past three defenders before a clever click allowed Rob Hulse to roll his man and stroke an eight-yard left foot shot past the out-stretching Larrieu.

With no time of a response Hulse's third Derby goal certainly puts a different complexion the half time team talks.  

The second half started with no further changes but news from the Rams dressing room was that Steve Davies had gone to Derby Royal Infirmary to undergo scans on his cheek injury.

Early second half from pressure from Derby was rewarded five minutes in, as the Rams took the lead for the first time in the match

From a half cleared Rams corner the ball fell to Paul Green 22 yards out, who unleashed what seemed to be an unstoppable volley. However Larrieu was even, but his parry hit the post and with Ellington closing in Plymouth captain Karl Duguid back-heeled the ball into his own net.

No one in white and black were complaining, as Green took the plaudits.

In what had been a less than pretty first 45 the Rams were have the better of the second with the Pilgrims lacking to find lone striker Fallon - who had been key to their first half performance.

On 65 minutes Kris Commons was given the opportunity to get his shooting boots back on as the Rams were rewarded with a free-kick 25 yards out, as Craig Cathcart clumsily barged into Ellington.

However with the Rams looking to seal the three points Commons could only strike the defensive wall, which Larrieu gathered.

Plymouth were soon to make a change in an attempt to make an impact on the game, with Nicolas Marin replacing Jamie Mackie.

In quick succession Plymouth were to make another change as Chris Barker was replaced by Jim Patterson, while Tito Villa limbered up to replace the Duke, Nathan Ellington.

Two minutes later the Rams made their third and final substitute with Kris Commons being withdrawn for Przemyslaw Kazmierczak. Commons seemed to be in no discomfort and having only returned to the fold and with the Rams in control Paul Jewell made the precautionary measure.
Kaz's first contribution was to free the jet-heeled Jordan Stewart down the left with  a well waited pass, however the left-back's centre was easily turned away.

With 10 minutes remaining Karl Duguid forced the Bywater from his position of spectator to pull a smart save down to his right.

A minute later Paul Sturrock's made his last throw of the dice as he brought on former Belgium and Manchester City striker Emile Mpenza to replace Chris Clark.

Since picking the ball out of the net Bywater had not been called upon but with five minutes remaining he was caught in no mans land and with the goal at Fallon's mercy he could only weakly head towards goal, only for Davis to usher the ball around the post.

From not threatening for long periods of the game Mpenza arrival seemed to give the Pligrims a new lease of life and both Fallon and Marin squandered gilt edge chances to level.

As time was called on proceedings Pride Park gave a relieved cheers as Paul Jewell's mini revival picks up pace.

Derby: Bywater, Connolly (C), Green, Stewart, Ellington (Villa 73), Hulse, Nyatanga, Davies (Commons 16 (Kazmierczak 77)), Davis, Addison, Barazite.

Substitutes: Price (GK), Zadkovich.

Plymouth: Larrieu, Duduid (C) (Mpenza 81), Clark, Gallagher, Doumbe, Fallon, Barker (Patterson 73), Seip, Summerfield, Cathcart, Mackie (Marin 70). 

Substitutes: Patterson, Timar, Folly.