Derby looked lively in the opening few minutes, but it was the home side that got the early breakthrough when Patrick Bamford rifled the ball in off the post after just six minutes.

Ryan Shotton had a chance to level the scores for the Rams shortly after, but he could only head wide from just a few yards out.

Boro came close to doubling their lead just before the half-hour mark when Bamford tried to fire home a second, only for Lee Grant to parry the ball to Jelle Vossen, but his finish was tipped behind.

Derby's only effort on target in the first half came just before the break when Jeff Hendrick attempted a low drive, but his shot lacked power and was easily blocked.

Vossen was involved again early in the second half as Middlesbrough pushed for a second goal, but he took the shot on himself rather than finding Adam Reach open to his right.

The hosts were given the chance to double their lead shortly after though when Shotton brought down Bamford in the box, giving Boro a penalty and earning himself a red card.

Grant Leadbitter stepped up to take the spot kick, blasting the ball in from the spot for the sixth time this season to give Aitor Karanka's side a two-goal cushion over the 10 men of Derby.

Bamford tried to make the most of Boro's numerical advantage, but Grant was ready to divert his low strike wide before making another stop from the striker from close range a few minutes later.

Derby came close to pulling one back late on when Chris Martin pulled the ball back for Craig Bryson but Dimitrios Konstantopoulos was ready to make the save.

The result leaves Boro at the top of the table for the first time in two years, while Derby drop to second, a point behind today's hosts.