Derby striker Rob Hulse continued his rich vein of form with two quickfire goals as they swept past Plymouth at Home Park.

The visitors went in front two minutes before the break when Gary Teale saw an initial shot blocked before getting the ball back and unleashing a 25-yard rocket that crashed in off the bar.

Nigel Clough's side came flying out the traps in the second half and almost straight from the restart the excellent Kris Commons got away down the left and crossed for Hulse, who slotted home his 12th goal of the season.

Minutes later Teale capped a fine performance by crossing for Hulse to finish from close range and make it five goals in six games.

The defeat made it seven games without a win for sorry Plymouth who came closest to a goal in the first half when Jamie Mackie's long-range effort cannoned off the crossbar.

Having beaten rivals Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup in midweek and Coventry last weekend, Derby continued their fine form to made it three consecutive wins in all competitions.

Derby began the game in confident mood and almost went ahead after only two minutes when Robbie Savage's clever reverse ball played in Commons but his effort was well blocked by Plymouth goalkeeper Romain Larrieu.

Only moments later Plymouth themselves wasted a gilt-edged chance to go in front when Alan Judge was left unmarked at the back post but fired wide.

Commons looked the most dangerous player on the pitch and came agonisingly close to giving Derby the lead when his 25-yard free-kick left Larrieu rooted to the spot but clipped the top of the bar.

Midway through the half Savage got caught on the ball and Mackie shot from fully 30 yards but his fierce effort cannoned off the bar.

With half-time approaching Teale's persistence paid off as he drove forward before smashing home an unstoppable effort that gave Larrieu no chance.

Plymouth came close to an instant reply when Judge got past James McEveley inside the area but his shot flashed just wide of the far post.

Derby made the perfect start to the second half and doubled their lead within a minute of the restart when Commons crossed from the left and Hulse squeezed the ball past Larrieu from close range.

The home side were in disarray and just six minutes later Teale got down the left unchallenged and his cross found Hulse who made no mistake again to make the game safe.

The Rams could have made it four but Larrieu did well to tip Commons' rasping 20-yard strike over the bar, while Bywater made an excellent save from Mackie at the other end.

Teams:

Plymouth Larrieu, Doumbe (Clark 59), Timar, Cathcart, Sawyer, Judge, Walton, Duguid, Gallagher, Mackie, Fallon (Barnes 65).

Subs Not Used: MacLean, Noone, Summerfield.

Derby Bywater, Connolly, Albrechtsen, Addison, McEveley, Barazite (Sterjovski 75), Green, Savage, Teale, Commons (Villa 77), Hulse (Porter 69).

Subs Not Used: Carroll, Nyatanga.

Goals: Teale 43, Hulse 46, 52.

Att: 10,893

Ref: Steve Cook (Surrey).