Derby County have kept alive their hopes of finishing second in the Championship with a 5-0 victory over East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest at Pride Park.

The home side started strongly and took the lead in the sixth minute, when Craig Bryson saw his initial headed effort blocked, before slotting home the rebound.

Radoslaw Majewski came close to responding for Forest, but his low strike from just outside the box was held by the keeper.

In the 32nd minute Bryson scored his second of the afternoon for the Rams, as he latched onto Chris Martin's layoff inside the box and fired a shot into the bottom corner.

Derby were in complete control and extended their lead four minutes later through Jeff Hendrick, who was slid through on goal by Patrick Bamford, before placing a low strike past Karl Darlow.

After the break the hosts continued to press forward and scored a fourth when Johnny Russell arrowed a powerful strike from distance across the keeper and into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Martin almost added another goal soon after when he met a corner at the front post, but his flicked attempt was pushed behind by Darlow, before Bryson curled a free kick narrowly wide.

Derby were given the chance to make it five in the 69th minute after Darlow brought down Bamford inside the box, and Bryson stepped up to smash home from the spot to complete his hat-trick.