A second-half brace from David Jones moved Derby back to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship after a hard-fought victory at Norwich.

The former Manchester United midfielder struck twice in the space of 10 minutes with two clinical finishes as the Rams moved two points clear of Birmingham at the summit.

Jones sent a superb curling effort past Tony Warner in the 62nd minute to cancel out Chris Martin's opener before coolly slotting into the bottom-right corner from 12 yards after a clever backheel from Giles Barnes for his third goal in less than a week.

The Rams entered the game knowing only a win would be enough to restore them to the top, but it was the home side who dominated for large periods of the game, bringing the best out of County goalkeeper Stephen Bywater on a number of occasions.

Peter Grant's side, buoyed by two away victories in the space of a week, started the better, with Dickson Etuhu's curling effort from 25 yards warming the hands of Bywater in the fourth minute.

Two minutes later, Lee Croft drilled a right-footed from the right side of penalty area which again called Bywater into action.

The former England Under-21 keeper was in for a busy evening, parrying Mark Fotheringham's powerful shot to safety less than a minute later.

It took County 10 minutes to create a chance and leading scorer Steve Howard should have done better from 20 yards, skewing his shot wide of the right post.

Billy Davies' side, who enjoyed a 5-1 win over Colchester on Friday, began to find their feet, with Barnes looking increasingly impressive, the young midfielder twice forcing saves from on-loan City goalkeeper Warner.

Martin, who was only passed fit to play hours before kick-off, fooled two defenders with the drop of a shoulder ball before sending in a searing drive, which was superbly saved by Bywater.

The Canaries had an excellent chance close to half-time when Dean Leacock, making his return to the away defence after injury, hauled down Martin.

Youssef Safri's whipped free kick seemed to have Bywater in trouble but curled inches wide of the right post.

City continued where they left off after the break and took a deserved 52nd-minute lead with Martin's fourth goal in as many games.

The in-form striker played a delightful one-two with Simon Lappin before his shot bounced past Bywater and into the back of the net.

The goal seemed to shock Billy Davies' side into action and they hauled themselves level within 10 minutes thanks to Jones' effort from 25 yards.

County continued to pile on the pressure and Jones was celebrating again 10 minutes later with his fifth of the season.

Bywater pulled off a stunning save from Dion Dublin 15 minutes from the end - the veteran's rising shot seemed destined for the top corner but the former England Under-21 keeper was able to get a finger on it as the Rams held on.

Teams

Norwich Warner, Hughes, Shackell, Doherty, Lappin,Etuhu (Dublin 74), Safri, Fotheringham, Croft, Martin, Huckerby.

Subs Not Used: Lewis, McVeigh, Colin, Eagle.

Booked: Lappin.

Goals: Martin 52.

Derby Bywater, Edworthy (Mears 46), Leacock, Moore, McEveley,Barnes, Oakley, Jones, Fagan (Teale 60), Howard,Lupoli (Macken 73).

Subs Not Used: Grant, Malcolm.

Booked: Edworthy.

Goals: Jones 62, 72.

Att: 23,462

Ref: L Probert (Gloucestershire).