Derby County have beaten Blackburn Rovers 2-0 in this evening's Championship clash at the iPro Stadium, Darren Bent's second-half brace helping the Rams back into the division's automatic promotion spots.

The hosts had the first chance of the game as a Jamie Ward corner from the right came out to Will Hughes, whose subsequent shot flew just wide of the Rovers goal.

Just before the quarter-hour mark, Craig Conway appeared to be felled in the Derby box, but nothing was given, while Corry Evans latched on to the ball moments later to see his effort blocked and cleared away.

In what proved to be an open start to the match, the Rams then pushed forward again, with Ward again at the centre of the action as he fired a shot which blazed over the bar.

Joshua King had a great chance to open the scoring in first-half injury time when he found himself on the receiving end of a cross, but despite being unmarked, he shot over.

Just after the hour, Hughes saw his free kick fall to Ryan Shotton, whose low strike was saved comfortably by Jason Steele.

Nevertheless, Derby soon found themselves in the lead when Shotton's long throw was flicked towards Bent, who tucked the ball home.

Rovers set about trying to find an equaliser and nearly succeeded in the 75th minute, Jason Brown's low effort having to be tipped behind by Lee Grant.

The Rams countered almost instantly and nearly had a second goal in the net, but Chris Martin saw his shot deflected just wide.

Bent then killed the game off in second-half injury time when he seized on a rebound from a Martin shot to poke home and confirm his side's ascent back to the top two of the Championship.