Goals from Morten Bisgaard and Paul Peschisolido gave Derby a 2-0 win over Visiting Gillingham at Pride Park.

Bisgaard opened the scoring in the 33rd minute before Peschisolido bagged the goal his industrious performance warranted when he pounced from close range in the 72nd minute.

But it had been the visitors who made the early running as Gills skipper Paul Smith tested Lee Camp with a second-minute shot loosed from 18 yards but parried by the Rams goalkeeper.

At the other end, Bisgaard twice hit the Gillingham wall from free-kicks before Peschisolido fired a cross from the Derby left which Grzegorz Rasiak narrowly failed to meet.

Tommy Smith went close for the hosts in the 10th minute though with a left-footed effort lifted marginally high and wide of the junction of post and bar.

But it was Bisgaard who first pulled a save from Gills keeper Jason Brown after the Dane produced a spectacular 25-yard side-footed effort from the left channel which was tipped over the bar.

Moments later Rasiak fired wide from an acute angle ahead of Camp saving from Darius Henderson after a sloppy pass from Tom Huddlestone had gifted possession to the visitors.

Gills squandered another good chance when Henderson timidly shot into Camp's midriff and the Priestfield outfit were soon made to pay as Derby went on the attack through Peschisolido who hooked the ball back from the byline.

Chris Hope only partially cleared his lines though and Bisgaard volleyed home in the 33rd minute.

The first half closed with Darren Byfield running clear but blazing over the bar. Gillingham came out for the second half with all guns blazing as Camp was forced into emergency measures to deny Jon Douglas and then Michael Flynn in rapid succession before Flynn chanced his arm again before 50 minutes were up.

The Rams responded with a sweeping move which traversed the length of the pitch as Huddlestone broke from defence and then spread the ball left to Peschisolido.

And the Canadian's cross to the back post was almost inch-perfect but Rasiak, who had gone into the game carrying a groin strain, was unable to stretch and divert the ball home.

Next, the Rams strike duo exchanged roles as Rasiak turned provider with a neat backheel which set up Peschisolido for a low drive well saved by Brown.

Just after the hour Douglas fired wide and right of the Derby goal ahead of Peschisolido meeting with more frustration as a goalbound effort was deflected to safety off an unwitting Ian Cox.

Then, in the 70th minute, Peschisolido eventually found the back of the net only to see his strike disallowed after he was judged offside.

Two minutes later though and the diminutive Pride Park frontman made the game safe for Derby after Brown spilled a Rasiak shot into his path.

And the margin of Derby's victory could have been greater too had Smith, Peschisolido, Rasiak or substitute Ian Taylor converted chances late on.

Teams

Derby Camp, Kenna, Konjic, Johnson (Mills 56), Makin, Bisgaard (Taylor 76), Huddlestone, Bolder, Peschisolido, Rasiak, Smith (Reich 85).

Subs Not Used: Miller, Junior.

Goals: Bisgaard 33, Peschisolido 72.

Gillingham Brown, Nosworthy, McEveley, Smith, Cox, Hope (Jarvis 73), Southall, Flynn, Henderson, Byfield, Douglas.

Subs Not Used: Banks, Crofts, Ashby, Hills.

Booked: Cox.

Att: 27,481

Ref: N Miller (Durham).