Derby County's hopes of putting a serious dent in West Bromwich Albion's promotion push ended with a 3-1 defeat at the Hawthorns this afternoon.

Chris Porter had given Derby the lead in the early stages of the second half at the Hawthorns, but Northern Ireland international Chris Brunt levelled up the scores midway through the second half.

Ten minutes later he put Albion ahead and sub Simon Cox wrapped up the win late on.

Derby's line-up showed three changes from the 1-0 defeat to Swansea City a week ago, all enforced.

Jay McEveley's suspension resulted in a recall for Dean Moxey at left-back, while injuries to Kris Commons and Rob Hulse meant starts for Gilles Sunu and Porter.

Ex-Baggie Hulse picked up a slight back injury in training and missed yesterday's session, meaning he was only fit enough for the bench.

The changes meant a slight change in tactics, with Sunu coming in on the right-hand side of midfield and Michael Tonge moving further forwards to play off Porter.

Albion kicked off and immediately launched an attack but Buxton got across to close Dorrans down inside the area and make a vital interception.

Derby had a good shout for a penalty moments later in a lively opening when Pearson looked to be pulled down by Tamas, but Referee Mr Crossley waved play on despite the Rams' appeals.

The early exchanges were at a very high tempo, very much like the corresponding fixture at Pride Park back in December when the sides fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw.

The Rams avoided a scare after fifteen minutes when Brunt's cross towards the near post was deflected into the side netting by Buxton, with Albion enjoying an early spell of pressure.

In the twenty-fifth minute Koren, on target against Reading in midweek in the FA Cup, wasted a golden chance to give Albion the lead after latching onto Olsson's long pass but blasted over from twelve yards out.

A fine block from skipper Savage denied Moore the opening goal just after the half hour, putting his body on the line at point blank range from Thomas' cross.

Derby rode that spell of pressure from the home side with some gritty defending and began to get a foot-hold on the game.

Without a win in four, the Baggies looked more and more edgy as the half progressed and in turn Derby began to grow in confidence.

On a number of occasions Pearson burst away down the left, using his pace to skip past his marker, to deliver telling balls into the box but Buxton and Porter were both unable to register efforts on target from the Scot's delivery.

In first-half injury time a free-kick into the Derby area carved out an opening for Moore but he blasted over on the turn with what turned out to be the very last kick of the half.

The Rams were quick out the blocks in the second half and four minutes into the half Derby had the lead.

A lovely ball in behind the Albion defence by Savage picked out the run of Green which caused uncertainty between Carson and his backline which presented a golden opportunity for Porter who from twelve yards out slotted home with ease.

It was Porter's second goal of the season on what was his first start for a month, and he marked it in some style.

Albion sought an immediate response and almost had it but Brunt's header from Koren's free-kick drifted inches wide.

You would have thought that would have been the start of a West Brom onslaught, but far from it.

Derby were on top and Sunu had a terrific opportunity to make it 2-0 six yards out on the hour but he blasted over from Green's cross.

With twenty-two minutes left however, Albion hauled themselves back onto level terms through Brunt, who took advantage of time and space on the edge of the area to crash a low drive beyond Bywater.

The Northern Ireland international went on to double his tally for the afternoon from close range with twelve minutes left, latching onto a loose ball in the box after a corner to crash the ball into the back of the net.

Derby were quick to create a reasonable chance to get back level, but Green glanced a header wide from Tonge's left-wing cross.

Davies was introduced into the action after a month out with a hamstring problem with ten minutes left, replacing Porter up front.

Within a few minutes Albion wrapped up the victory when Cox got on the end of a long ball over the top to fire past Bywater.

Derby made their second change before the game got underway again, replacing Sunu with Martin. Pringle followed in injury time in place of Moxey.

The home side saw out the remaining minutes to return to winning ways, while Derby will look to back on track with a home game against Watford in a week's time.