Derby County have held out for a 3-2 win over Birmingham City despite a period of four goals in 10 second-half minutes.

The hosts grabbed the opener just past the half-hour mark when Michael Jacobs's initial shot bounced off the post straight to Conor Sammon, who nodded in the rebound.

Craig Bryson had a good opportunity to double his side's lead soon after, but he couldn't keep his shot down.

Theo Robinson squandered a fine chance to make it 2-0 just after the hour mark when he was sent through on goal, but his effort was wayward.

Will Hughes was the next to come close for the hosts, forcing Jack Butland into a good save with a long range strike.

Birmingham punished Derby for lacking a clinical edge when they equalised with just under 20 minutes left. Rob Hall was brought down by Richard Keogh inside the box, allowing Marlon King to step up and send Adam Legzdins the wrong way from the spot.

King came within inches of doubling his personal tally just five minutes later when his deflected shot rattled the Derby crossbar.

The hosts halted the change of momentum by retaking the lead 10 minutes from time courtesy of Sammon's low drive into the bottom to make it 2-1.

Birmingham responded within two minutes with a goal of their own to draw the scores back level, Peter Lovenkrands glancing Jonathan Spector's cross past Legzdins.

Derby hit back immediately themselves, however, restoring their lead through Nathan Tyson's tap in to cap off a period of four goals in the space of 10 minutes.

Birmingham couldn't muster enough to conjure up a third equaliser as Derby secured all three points.