Derby consolidated their position in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off zone with a classy 3-1 victory against doomed Rotherham.

A major factor behind the Rams' resurgence this season has been their rock-solid away form - they have now won 10 league games on their travels - and this was another fine performance that fully warranted three points.

Derby, who are now fourth in the Championship, were comfortably the better side all afternoon but it was Rotherham who somehow opened the scoring after 24 minutes when Martin Butler scored from the penalty spot - after referee Nigel Miller saw a hand-ball offence in the 18-yard box.

However, Grzegorz Rasiak made it 1-1 shortly after the half-hour mark with a typically incisive finish from 10 yards - his 12th league goal of the season - before Marcus Tudgay headed Derby in front shortly after the restart.

The visitors got a third goal their superiority deserved when Inigo Idiakez smashed home a penalty after 77 minutes after Phil Gilchrist fouled Tom Huddlestone in the Millers' penalty box.

Indeed, Rotherham were fortunate not to have fallen behind after 13 minutes when Tudgay's close-range strike from the right-hand side of the six-yard box struck the woodwork.

But it was the home side who took a shock lead from their first foray into County's half.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce's cross caused havoc in the Rams' penalty area as Huddlestone and Jeff Kenna both temporarily lost the plot.

Miller saw a hand-ball offence from the resulting skirmish and swiftly pointed to the penalty spot. Butler did the rest with a fine finish past Lee Camp.

Rotherham's lead last just eight minutes as parity was deservedly restored courtesy of Rasiak's timely intervention.

Kenna redeemed himself for his part in Rotherham's goal with a lovely cross into the feet of the Poland international. Rasiak controlled the ball with his instep and planted a low drive into the back of the net from 10 yards.

Derby started the second half in similar attacking vein to the first period - but this time cashed in on their dominance two minutes after the restart.

Tommy Smith's angled delivery into the penalty box found Tudgay at the back post in acres of space. The 21-year-old forward showed admirable composure before steering a fine header into the roof of the net.

Derby maintained a vice-like grip on proceedings and an away win was confirmed 13 minutes before time when Miller awarded a penalty after Gilchrist hauled down Huddlestone inside the penalty box.

Idiakez rammed home the spot-kick to leave Rotherham floundering at the bottom of the Championship - and a game closer to the seemingly inevitable prospect of League One football next season.

Teams

Rotherham Pollitt, Barker, Swailes, Gilchrist, Hurst, McLaren, Garner (Vernazza 72), Mullin (Proctor 55), Monkhouse (Hoskins 78), Campbell-Ryce, Butler.

Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Minto.

Booked: Campbell-Ryce.

Goals: Butler 24 pen.

Derby Camp, Makin, Kenna, Mills, Huddlestone, Bisgaard, Smith (Reich 60), Bolder, Tudgay, Rasiak, Idiakez (Konjic 79).

Subs Not Used: Grant, Junior, Peschisolido.

Goals: Rasiak 32, Tudgay 47, Idiakez 77 pen.

Att: 7,937

Ref: N Miller (Co Durham).