A Jamie Ward-inspired Derby County have held off a rally from Charlton Athletic to take the three points with a 3-2 win.

Derby opened the scoring through Ward after just seven minutes, and the hosts went on to dominate much of the opening period.

Ward went close on 28 and 32 minutes, but could not add to his tally before the half-time whistle blew.

Derby made an equally-good start to the second half, with Craig Bryson firing past Ben Hamer in the Charlton goal.

When Ward scored his second from the spot after 64 minutes the game looked to be over, however Charlton had other ideas.

In a two-minute flurry the Addicks were back within a goal of their hosts, with Danny Green scoring the first in the 70th minute before Yann Kermogant added their second on 72.

However Derby held firm to deny Charlton a point, hanging on for the 3-2 win.