Goals from Simo Valakari and Paul Boertien gave Derby County a 2-0 victory at Wimbledon as interim manager George Burley continues his good work in the Pride Park hotseat.

Valakari bagged the Rams' vital first goal, firing in from long-range to leave Dons goalkeeper Kelvin Davis helpless, and Boertien sealed the win with the second goal 12 minutes into the second period.

The win could have been even more emphatic but for the exploits of Davis, although the Dons did create chances of their own to get themselves on the scoresheet.

Derby had been the first to threaten in the early stages, and a cross by Warren Barton found the head of Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli, only for Davis to make a good save.

Davis was called into action a few minutes later when he produced a super save to keep out a decent effort from Craig Burley.

David Connolly shot wide at the other end for Wimbledon, and then hit the woodwork with a free kick from the edge of the area after a foul on Patrick Agyemang.

Neil Shipperley was the next to threaten, Andy Oakes pulling off a fine save to deny the veteran hitman, before the visitors took the lead on the half-hour mark.

Davis had done well to deny both Ravanelli and Adam Bolder, before Valakari eventually beat him with a cracker from fully 35 yards.

Back came the Dons and Oakes had to save well from Alex Tapp and Connolly, although Ravanelli and Bolder came close to doubling the lead at the other end.

The Rams began the second half in the same attacking way they had begun the first, and they made it 2-0 within 10 minutes of the restart through Boertien.

Burley swung in a corner and Boertien was on hand to shoot home from the edge of the area past Davis to give his side some breathing space.

Oakes denied Shipperley a quick response, with the Dons throwing on all three substitutions in a desperate but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to change the course of the game, and Giorgi Kinkladze almost made it three for the Rams near the end.

Teams

Wimbledon: Davis, Hawkins, Andersen, Leigertwood, Holloway (Gray 71), Tapp, Nowland (Chorley 64), Reo-Coker, Agyemang (Gordon 64), Shipperley, Connolly.

Subs Not Used: Gier, Gore.

Derby: Oakes, Barton, Mooney, Ritchie, Jackson, Valakari, Burley, Bolder (Murray 76), Boertien, Ravanelli (McLeod 85), Kinkladze.

Subs Not Used: Elliott, Grant, Palmer.

Goals: Valakari 29, Boertien 57.

Att: 1,934

Ref: D Elleray (Middlesex).