Paul Jewell's 50th league game as Derby manager ended in defeat as Jonathan Walters marked his return to the Ipswich starting line-up with the winner at Pride Park.

Walters stooped to glance a header in off the far post following Ben Thatcher's left-wing cross for his fifth goal of the season for the Suffolk side.

Derby struggled to break down a stoic Ipswich defence until substitute Steve Davies struck a post early in the second half, but their task was made even greater when Jordan Stewart was sent off for clattering into David Norris after 77 minutes.

It was the first time that Derby had failed to score at home since Southampton kept them at bay to win by the same scoreline at the end of August.

On-loan winger Nacer Barazite made a rare start for Derby in his final game before returning to Arsenal.

The Holland Under-19 international impressed from the bench against Watford and Preston and replaced Gary Teale in the Rams' starting line-up.

Ipswich manager Jim Magilton made two changes. Danny Haynes twisted an ankle in the Boxing Day defeat to Birmingham so Veliche Shumulikoski returned to the side. Walters was preferred to Jon Stead in attack.

Derby made the brighter start but their rhythm was interrupted by an injury to top scorer Nathan Ellington after only nine minutes. The nine-goal striker limped off to be replaced by Luke Varney.

Just five minutes later Ipswich took the lead through Walters' header from Thatcher's cross.

Stephen Bywater prevented the visitors from extending their advantage when he parried Kevin Lisbie's 12-yard shot midway through the first half.

Derby created little and were restricted to long-range efforts but Miles Addison, Stewart and then Kris Commons failed to test Ipswich keeper Richard Wright.

Derby boss Paul Jewell replaced Rob Hulse with Davies at the break and the substitute almost brought the Rams level after 55 minutes. His shot from the left-hand side of the box beat Wright but came back off a post.

Stewart's red card all but ended the game as a contest as Ipswich seemed content to keep the ball and run down the clock.

Moritz Volz could have added a second goal with two minutes remaining but the defender shot wide from the edge of the box.

Teams:

Derby Bywater, Albrechtsen, Tomkins, Nyatanga, Stewart, Barazite, Addison, Green, Commons (Kazmierczak 76), Hulse (Davies 46), Ellington (Varney 9).

Subs Not Used: Price, Powell.

Sent Off: Stewart (77).

Booked: Nyatanga, Stewart.

Ipswich Richard Wright, Volz, Campo, McAuley, Thatcher (Balkestein 67), Norris, Shumulikoski, Miller, Quinn, Lisbie (Counago 81), Walters.

Subs Not Used: Supple, Stead, Ambrose.

Booked: McAuley, Campo.

Goals: Walters 14.

Att: 28,358

Ref: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).