Derby's Adam Bolder scored the only goal of the game as 10-man Plymouth were defeated at Pride Park.

The Rams, who were in front with just one minute and 48 seconds on the clock, were forced to counter the threat of Plymouth midfielder David Norris as they held on for three points.

The home side took the lead as Alan Wright, a loan recruit from Sheffield United, slid a simple ball along the left wing for Tommy Smith to cross deep to the back post.

And then Bolder arrived to apply a looping header back across goal, over a host of wrong-footed defenders and into the net.

But in the ninth minute, Argyle's Norris fired only inches over Derby goalkeeper Lee Camp's crossbar from 15 yards out before Bolder let loose on the run only to see his blast go wide.

Norris, by far Argyle's most dangerous player in the early stages, next went on a dribble which left Inigo Idiakez and Darren Moore embarrassed before Lewin Nyatanga, Derby's 17-year-old defender, blocked the eventual shot.

Camp was then forced to save from Norris who pulled the trigger from the edge of the box.

But it was the Rams who finished the half on top as Idiakez and Smith shots were both blocked out.

In the second half both sides ran out unchanged, with Kevin Lisbie, who has joined the Rams on a one-month loan from Premiership Charlton, soon taking the fight to the Pilgrims only to see his shot blocked by Paul Wotton.

Next it was Giles Barnes' turn to chance his arm in front of the Plymouth goal before Norris, after supply from Vincent Pericard, gave Idiakez the slip inside the Derby penalty area only to see his 12-yard blast saved by Camp who dived to his left.

A Plymouth free-kick routine almost bore fruit in the 53rd minute but Wright took the ball off the toe of Nick Chadwick.

And moments later Chadwick fired well wide from a Pericard knockdown.

But Derby were pressing at the other end with 25 minutes remaining as an Idiakez free-kick was deflected wide for a fruitless corner ahead of Lisbie squandering a decent opportunity when the Spaniard fired the ball low into the six-yard box off the right wing.

But the livewire Norris wasted an even better chance as Camp saved in front of his face following good link-up play involving Pericard and substitute Akos Buszaky who in turn could only find the side-netting from close range in the 70th minute.

Then, in the 73rminute, Plymouth were reduced to 10 men as Paul Connolly, booked in the 28th minute for a foul on Smith, brought down the same player and was given a second caution and his marching orders by referee Kevin Wright.

And Derby went on to record their first win under new manager Terry Westley, Argyle surviving a late scare as goalkeeper Romain Larrieu tipped an Idiakez corner onto the bar.

Teams

Derby Camp, Edworthy, Nyatanga, Moore, Wright, Smith, Bolder,Idiakez, Barnes, Peschisolido (Holmes 76),Lisbie (Ainsworth 90).

Subs Not Used: Poole, Hajto, Thirlwell.

Booked: Moore.

Goals: Bolder 2.

Plymouth Larrieu, Connolly, Aljofree, Wotton, Barness,Hodges (Buzsaky 65), Nalis, Norris, Capaldi, Pericard,Chadwick (Evans 70).

Subs Not Used: McCormick, Summerfield, Djordjic.

Sent Off: Connolly (73).

Booked: Connolly.

Att: 25,170

Ref: K Wright (Cambridgeshire).