Steve Howard's 12th goal of the season earned Coca-Cola Championship leaders Derby a fifth successive league win in a match which ended with both managers and a player being sent off.

The Rams fans have become used to their side scoring late goals recently, but Howard found the back of the net inside the opening five minutes to consign Steve Cotterill's men to their 10th game without a win in all competitions and stretch the Rams' advantage at the top of the table to six points.

Home manager Billy Davies was sent to the stands early in the second half for arguing with a decision of referee Mike Riley, who was the target of much adverse attention from both sides of a packed Pride Park, especially after sending off Eric Djemba-Djemba and then Cotterill in the dying minutes.

Despite Riley's efforts, the real star of the show was Derby's young midfielder David Jones, who won a free-kick from former Manchester United team-mate Djemba-Djemba in the fourth minute.

Jones took charge of the set-piece himself and swung the ball over the defence to the back post, where Howard headed home with ease.

The pair combined again two minutes later, Howard flicking on a long throw and Jones firing wide.

In the 14th minute Jon Harley's chip found Ade Akinbiyi but his first touch was wayward and six minutes later Jones set Craig Fagan free on the left and he delivered an inch-perfect cross which Howard directed onto the post.

A minute later another Fagan cross eluded everyone but Jones, who was unmarked on the by-line, but his header was saved by Mike Pollitt.

Burnley's best chance came on the half-hour mark, James O'Connor rolled a free-kick to debutant Joey Gudjonsson, who stung Stephen Bywater's palms with a 20-yard shot.

Clarets skipper Wayne Thomas left the field holding his leg just before the break and was replaced by Stephen Foster.

Burnley started the second period brighter and O'Connor's header from Wade Elliott's cross was caught just underneath the bar by Bywater.

In the 58th minute Stephen Pearson exploded down the left, breaking the Clarets' back-line before squaring the ball, but the on-rushing Jones' shot was wide.

Seven minutes later Gudjonsson found himself free on the right side of the penalty area and headed the ball back across the box to Kyle Lafferty, whose shot had neither power nor accuracy and was easily saved.

Substitute Foster had a great chance to pull his side level in the 71st minute, after receiving a cross in space on the edge of the area, he shaped himself well for the volley but sent his shot high and wide before Lafferty's low shot required a smart save from Bywater.

Burnley almost gave Derby a taste of their own medicine when Lafferty received the ball in space in the 83rd minute, but his shot was wide.

Substitute midfielder Morten Bisgaard had a shot saved four minutes later and in the final minute Djemba-Djemba received a second yellow and his marching orders.

This made it easier for the Rams to hold on and increase their chances of finishing the season as champions.

Teams:

Derby Bywater, Edworthy, Leacock, Moore, Camara, Fagan,Oakley, Pearson, Jones, Teale (Bisgaard 61), Howard.

Subs Not Used: Michael Johnson, Peschisolido, Lupoli, Malcolm.

Booked: Oakley, Fagan.

Goals: Howard 4.

Burnley Pollitt, Thomas (Foster 45), McGreal, Duff,Harley (McCann 88), Elliott (Mahon 70), James O'Connor,Gudjonsson, Djemba-Djemba, Akinbiyi, Lafferty.

Subs Not Used: Coyne, Garreth O'Connor.

Sent Off: Djemba-Djemba (90).

Booked: Mahon, Djemba-Djemba, Foster, Harley.

Att: 23,122

Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).