Steve Howard's 33rd-minute goal earned Derby a three-point lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship table.

Billy Davies' side needed only a point at Roots Hall to knock Birmingham - whose match was postponed - off the summit, but deservedly took the maximum three after a fine attacking display.

Derby were continuing their good form as they extended their winning sequence to five matches in all competitions against the division's bottom team.

Gary Teale, Derby's recent signing from Wigan, was first to try his luck at goal in the fourth minute but goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan was equal to his curled effort from 25 yards.

The visitors had Bob Malcolm booked after 11 minutes for a foul on Jamal Campbell-Ryce, but the former Rangers man then made a more positive contribution as he got a shot on target which Flahavan again saved.

Freddy Eastwood had Southend's first attempt in the 17th minute but could not beat Stephen Bywater, and that was a rare opportunity created by the hosts as Derby were proving more dangerous in attack.

Howard went the closest so far when he hit the post with an angled shot in the 27th minute, but neither the woodwork nor Flahavan could stop him from opening the scoring soon afterwards. The former Luton striker connected with Teale's corner and headed home his 12th goal of the season.

Derby continued to press forward with David Jones and Craig Fagan - making his first start for the club - letting fly, while Alan McCormack was shown the yellow card for a challenge on Malcolm.

Darren Moore had a chance to extend the lead in stoppage time only to volley wide, but the Rams went in for the break good value for their advantage.

Straight from the kick-off in the second half Derby carved out an opening as Flahavan denied Malcolm again, before Howard volleyed wide and, at the other end, Bywater held a long-range strike by McCormack.

The fact they were only one goal down must have encouraged the Shrimpers and they threatened to equalise through Peter Clarke and Mark Gower, who forced Bywater to parry his drilled shot in the 59th minute.

Flahavan needed to produce a terrific save to prevent Stephen Pearson from putting Derby two up and with both sides eager for goals, Bywater had to tip a long-range McCormack shot round the post for a corner.

There were no further scares for Derby though, and instead Howard will have been disappointed to end up with just one goal to his name - important though it was.

Teams

Southend Flahavan, Hunt, Clarke, Barrett, Hammell,Campbell-Ryce, McCormack, Maher, Gower (Hooper 76), Eastwood,Bradbury (Harrold 82).

Subs Not Used: Welch, Sodje, Guttridge.

Booked: McCormack.

Derby Bywater, Edworthy, Moore, Leacock, Camara,Teale (Bisgaard 65), Pearson, Malcolm (Oakley 55), Jones,Fagan (Michael Johnson 83), Howard.

Subs Not Used: Barnes, Lupoli.

Booked: Malcolm, Pearson, Edworthy.

Goals: Howard 33.

Att: 10,745

Ref: I Williamson (Berkshire).