Derby got their Coca-Cola Championship play-off charge back on track at Gresty Road after a goal in each half secured victory over Crewe.

Top-scorer Grzegorz Rasiak gave Derby the lead midway through the first half before Tommy Smith secured the points 16 minutes before time.

But David Vaughan's late super strike ensured a tense finish.

The Rams went into the game looking for only their second win in six games but they completely outplayed Crewe in the first half and should have had more than the one goal to show for it.

Crewe had started brightly and had a good chance early on when Steve Jones raced towards a loose ball just outside the Derby area but was beaten to it by the on-rushing goalkeeper Lee Camp who cleared the danger.

Derby began to stamp their authority onto the game and some good play in the Crewe box forced another Derby corner which Crewe cleared only for the ball to quickly find its' way back into the area.

Adam Bolder picked the ball up and fired a shot towards goal from distance that just sailed wide.

The Rams continued to pile the pressure on the Crewe defence and it was no surprise when Derby took the lead in the 16th minute through 15-goal Rasiak.

Marcus Tudgay won Derby's third corner after forcing Crewe 'keeper Ben Williams to push the ball out and Inigo Idiakez sent the corner towards Rasiak who rose to head the ball into the roof of the net.

Derby were controlling the game and Rasiak came close to adding another with a fierce drive in the 20th minute.

Crewe had a half chance soon after through defender Adie Moses who managed to connect with the ball in a busy penalty area but his volley flew over the bar.

Just before half-time Crewe should have drawn level when Luke Varney poked a shot towards goal which was caught by Camp.

A mistake in the Crewe defence just after half-time was pounced upon by Morten Bisgaard who found space to send a powerful shot on goal from the edge of the area, but Williams was equal to the shot and parried behind for a corner.

Crewe, chasing only their second league victory of the year, started to come forward in search of an equaliser. and were guilty of squandering a host of good chances.

Just before the hour Jones was sent clear towards the Derby goal but a superb last- ditch tackle from Michael Johnson prevented the eight-goal striker from getting a shot on goal.

Three minutes later Rasiak should have done better for Derby but he lashed his shot over the bar from 10 yards.

Crewe broke on the counter and Vaughan was brought down by Bolder 25 yards from goal. Skipper Kenny Lunt stepped up to take the free-kick but his shot just went wide of the right-hand post.

Derby went further in front when bad defending presented the ball to Smith who, with only Williams to beat, placed the ball beneath the goalkeeper into the bottom-left corner of the goal.

That goal seemed to knock the wind out of Crewe and Derby looked like extending their lead further when a swift counter-attack provided Idiakez with a clear shot on goal but his mishit volley flew wide.

Crewe grabbed a lifeline with a minute to go when Vaughan fired a superb volley from 25 yards past the hands of Camp to give the Railwaymen hope.

A free-kick deep into injury time nearly beat Camp but Derby held on to secure a vital three points.

Teams:

Crewe Williams, Moses, Murdock, McCready, Tonkin, Lunt, Bell (White 72), Sorvel, Vaughan, Steve Jones, Varney.

Subs Not Used: Walker, Cochrane, Tomlinson, Rivers.

Booked: Lunt.

Goals: Vaughan 90.

Derby Camp, Kenna, Huddlestone, Johnson (Mills 75), Makin, Tudgay, Bolder, Idiakez, Bisgaard, Smith, Rasiak (Junior 87).

Subs Not Used: Miller, Peschisolido, Holmes.

Booked: Bolder.

Goals: Rasiak 16, Smith 74.

Att: 8,026

Ref: T Leake (Lancashire).