The Rams were impressive despite the midweek defeat to Birmingham and they picked up where they had left off at St Andrew’s with a rampant first-half display.

Derby made the breakthrough in the 14th minute when Kieren Westwood punched Gary Teale’s cross into his own defender causing the ball to loop goalwards and Rob Hulse headed home.

Three minutes later, Hulse set up Kris Commons, who finished from 10 yards.

Coventry threatened to make Derby pay for failing to put themselves out of sight when Michael Doyle halved City’s deficit (53), turning home Clinton Morrison’s cross from close range.

But the Rams held on for the win that sees them rise to 18th in the table, four places below the Sky Blues.