Derby were able to celebrate safety at Pride Park even though results elsewhere rendered their point against Newcastle meaningless.

Starting the game needing a draw to maintain their Premiership status, the Rams controlled the contest for long periods and always looked likely to earn a share of the spoils.

It could have been more but Newcastle keeper Shay Given was able to pull off a superb late stop to deny Deon Burton's near-post flick eight minutes from time.

But while the Republic of Ireland man's own skill was responsible for keeping that effort out, he had to rely on good fortune to keep his goal in tact at the start of the game.

Giorgi Kinkladze has been frustratingly inconsistent since moving to the midlands on loan from Ajax.

But the magic remains in his feet and Newcastle were left trailing in his wake after just eight minutes when the Georgian took possession on halfway.

Jinking past two defenders, Kinkladze continued to advance as the Magpies stood off and from the edge of the area, lifting a chip over Shay Given and against underside of the Newcastle crossbar.

For a brief spell, it seemed as though the former Manchester City man might win the match on his own.

But wily Newcastle boss Bobby Robson withdrew Alessandro Pistone, threw on Didier Domi and put the message across to his midfield to make some tackles.

Former England man Rob Lee led the charge, booked almost instantly for a crunching challenge on Kinkladze inside the Derby half.

The after-effects of that tackle ultimately caused Rams boss Jim Smith to withdraw his star man at the break, a disappointing end to an afternoon which had promised much.

Lee could easily have seen red when he caught Burton shortly afterwards and, although his scheming was largely effective, it was a timely blast of the whistle for half-time which allowed him a chance to cool his temper after tugging Kinkladze to the ground just before the break.

Adam Murray should have given Derby the lead within the opening four minutes.

The youngster showed composure and and an excellent awareness of space to allow Burton's lofted pass to bounce on the edge of the area.

But his shot was too near Given, although the Republic of Ireland keeper did well to save and scramble the rebound away from his goal as the home attack scented blood.

Mart Poom accepted the Derby player of the year award shortly before kick-off but he didn't have to make any wonder saves in the first half to celebrate.

A push round his post from Temuri Ketsbaia and a save low to his right from Gary Speed was the sum total of his efforts, although Warren Barton did drill a fierce shot wide from the Newcastle right and Nolberto Solano flicked a free-kick off the Derby wall.

The withdrawal of Kinkladze didn't help Newcastle start the second half any better than they had the first.

With former Celtic man Craig Burley outstanding in the heart of midfield, much of the Magpies' most likely attacking moves were strangled far from goal.

Alan Shearer barely had a sight of Poom all afternoon and it was Lee who came closest to opening the visitors' account with a powerful right-foot drive which flashed over the crossbar.

Even the introduction of Kevin Gallacher failed to ignite his old Blackburn sparring partner and the speed of Burton, Malcolm Christie and second-half arrival Dean Sturridge ensured the visitors were usually stretched at the back.

Aaron Hughes made instant amends for what could have been a catastrophic blunder when he attempted to steer pressure away from his own goal by nodding a long ball from Burton away from Given at close range.

Unfortunately, Sturridge was in close attendance and reached the loose ball first, shooting first time towards an empty net only for Hughes to get a block in.

A rare Newcastle strike on goal left Stefan Schnoor clutching his stomach after taking the full impact of Temuri Ketsbaia's shot.

It was the visitors last effort worthy of note and greater reward than a point they did not deserve.

Teams:

Derby: Poom, Laursen (Jackson 90), Carbonari, Schnoor, Dorigo, Burley, Powell, Murray (Bohinen 58), Kinkladze (Sturridge 46), Christie, Burton.

Subs Not Used: Oakes, Elliott.

Booked: Carbonari.

Newcastle: Given, Barton, Dabizas, Hughes, Solano (Gallacher 65), Dyer, Lee, Speed, Pistone (Domi 12), Shearer, Ketsbaia (Gavilan 84).

Subs Not Used: Karelse, Maric.

Booked: Lee.

Att: 32,724

Ref: A Wiley (Burntwood).