DERBY County are up to fifth in the Championship table after a 3-1 win over FA Cup holders Wigan Athletic.
First-half strikes from Craig Bryson, Simon Dawkins and Chris Martin put the Rams in charge at the DW Stadium.
The Latics hit back after the interval with a Nick Powell header but Steve McClaren's men held on to claim a sixth away league win of the season, taking them into the play-off places.
The visitors got off to a perfect start, when Bryson curled a superb free kick past keeper Lee Nicholls in only the third minute.
The lead was doubled after 15 minutes, Dawkins pouncing on a loose pass from Ben Watson to break clear and finish well from 10 yards.
Craig Forsyth went close with a header that flew just over following another Bryson set piece - but the visitors did go three up just before the half-hour mark.
Martin was deemed to have been fouled in the area by James McClean and the Rams' top scorer picked himself up to send Nicholls the wrong way from the spot.
Wigan almost pulled one back on the stroke of half-time but Stephen Crainey's free kick came back off the crossbar, with keeper Lee Grant beaten.
The Latics did get a goal back five minutes after the break, Nick Powell directing a fine header past Grant from Emmerson Boyce's right-wing cross.
This lifted the hosts and James McArthur could have had another moments later, only to head wide from six yards out.
In the 56th minute, Derby were again saved by the woodwork when Jake Buxton appeared to slice a clearance against his own bar.
Johnny Russell, making his first start since suffering a broken leg, was replaced by Mason Bennett.
Derby also handed Jeff Hendrick a return to action following an ankle injury as he replaced John Eustace in midfield.
Wigan continued to press and Grant made a brilliant diving save to keep out Powell's 74th-minute volley.
The Derby keeper also denied substitutes Grant Holt and Marc-Antoine Fortune to help his side over the line.
WIGAN ATHLETIC: Nicholls, Boyce, Ramis, Barnett, Crainey, Watson (Espinoza, 46), McArthur, McClean, McManaman (Fortune, 84), Powell, W Keane (Holt, 46). Other subs: Carson (gk), Shotton, McCann, Gomez.
DERBY COUNTY: Grant, Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Eustace (Hendrick, 62), Bryson, Hughes (Cisse, 85), Russell (Bennett, 58), Dawkins, Martin. Other subs: Legzdins (gk), M Keane, Davies, Sammon.
REFEREE: D Coote (Nottinghamshire).
ATTENDANCE: 15,097 (2,346 away fans).
