Derby County 1 Plymouth Argyle 0

A moment of quality from Arturo Lupoli settled a desperately poor game played in driving rain at Pride Park.

The on-loan Arsenal striker finally broke Plymouth's brave resistance when he got behind their defence to set up Morten Bisgaard for only his second goal of the season.

The late winner was harsh on Plymouth, who were solid and well organised but lacked the sort of quality that Lupoli was able to provide for Derby.

Morten Bisgaard goal keeps the Rams flying high

Much of the football was as miserable as the conditions with passes going astray and possession needlessly conceded.

Although the incessant rain was a factor, some of the football was below the standard expected in the Championship and there was little goalmouth incident in a sterile first half.

David Norris fired wide in the eighth minute, but Plymouth were forced to make an early change when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake went off with an ankle injury to be replaced by Cherno Samba.

The substitute came close to scoring in the 26th minute when Darren Moore completely missed his kick, but Stephen Bywater tipped the striker's header over the bar.

There was no better a start to the second half with Derby losing on-loan Manchester United midfielder David Jones with a groin strain.

Bisgaard suggested there was more to come from the home side in the 49th minute when he cleverly fashioned an opening for himself on the right and his low shot was well turned away by Romain Larrieu.

From the resulting corner the ball fell invitingly to Moore 15 yards out and his well struck shot was headed clear by Hasney Aljofree positioned by the left-hand post.

Lupoli provides run and cross for Rams goal

Plymouth were beginning to threaten on the break and they should have done better in the 61st minute when Barry Hayles pounced on a loose ball and burst forward, but he scuffed a shot wide from the edge of the area when Norris was in acres of space to his right.

The introduction of Lupoli in the 62nd minute always threatened to give Derby the edge, but the match was beginning to drift towards stalemate until the young Italian finally unlocked Plymouth's stubborn back-line.

Jon Stead picked up the ball near the left-hand touchline and immediately released Lupoli, who darted behind Paul Connolly and delivered a precise pass which Bisgaard slipped into the net from eight yards.

That was cruel on the visitors who had little time in which to respond and although they made two late substitutions, Derby never looked like letting the lead slip away.