HIGH-FLYING Derby County made it six Championship wins in a row courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Charlton Athletic at The Valley.
Jamie Ward's deflected free kick after 32 minutes, against the run of play, separated the side at the break.
And Craig Bryson made the game safe for Steve McClaren's side with a late second.
Charlton looked dangerous at times going forward but Derby held firm.
Lee Grant saved a long-range effort from Michael Morrison after 10 minutes, while Dale Stephens volleyed over.
Richard Keogh and Jeff Hendrick, making his first start since August, both made vital interventions as the home pressed forward.
At the other end, Chris Martin's 20-yard drive was deflected inches wide of the post.
Shortly after the half-hour, Charlton defender Dorian Dervite fouled Martin around 25 yards from goal.
Ward's free kick clipped the wall and wrong-footed keeper Ben Alnwick could only watch as the ball went into the net.
Bryson might have doubled the advantage three minutes before the interval but his swerving 25-yarder was turned around the post by the diving Alnwick.
Charlton went close to an equaliser two minutes into the second half but Stephens guided a low shot just wide from 15 yards following a cross from the right.
Derby went even closer shortly after the hour when, after some fine link-up play with Martin, Ward saw his rising drive from 12 yards cannon off the crossbar.
After 72 minutes, Morrison snuck in front of Craig Forsyth at the back post but headed Yann Kermorgant's cross just wide from close range.
Grant made an important save nine minutes from time when substitute Simon Church was played in by Kermorgant and the keeper came out well to deny the striker.
The Rams sealed the win in the 87th minute, when substitute Conor Sammon's neat flick released Bryson, who deftly lifted the ball over the advancing Alnwick to send the travelling fans behind the goal wild.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC: Alnwick, Wilson (Sordell, 85), Wiggins, Morrison, Dervite, Cousins, Stephens, Pritchard (Church, 65), Stewart, Green (Harriott, 65), Kermorgant. Other subs: Pope (gk), Evina, Wood, Solly.
DERBY COUNTY: Grant, Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Eustace, Hendrick, Bryson, Dawkins (Russell, 74), Ward (Keane, 88), Martin (Sammon, 85). Other subs: Legzdins (gk), Cisse, Davies, Bennett.
REFEREE: A Davies (Hampshire).
ATTENDANCE: 16,871 (1,833 away fans).
