Derby rode their luck to keep their promotion hopes alive with a fortunate victory against Plymouth at Pride Park.

Inigo Idiakez sealed the points with a superb long-range free-kick in the first half, but Argyle midfielder Paul Wotton missed a penalty and team-mate Dexter Blackstock hit the woodwork after the break.

Goalkeeper Lee Camp also helped the Rams extend their unbeaten run to eight games by producing two fine second-half saves to deny David Morris and Tony Capaldi.

The Rams had plenty of possession in the early stages and finally carved open a chance in the sixth minute when Grzegorz Rasiak flicked on for Morten Bisgaard to scuff his shot across the face of the goal.

Argyle, who had won their last two games 3-0 against Sheffield United and Crewe, were under pressure moments later as Graham Coughlan cut out Bisgaard's cross with Rasiak waiting to pounce.

Rasiak was causing the Plymouth defence all sorts of problems and went close to breaking the deadlock in the ninth minute when he volleyed Idiakez's corner a couple of yards over the crossbar.

Plymouth, who made two changes to the side that accounted for Crewe last weekend, gradually started to work their way into the game and forced their first shot on target after 20 minutes.

Pilgrims defender Hasney Aljofree tried his luck with a snap shot, but Rams goalkeeper Lee Camp made a comfortable save.

However, the Rams took a 24th-minute lead after Peter Gilbert had fouled Marcus Tudgay.

Spanish midfielder Idiakez curled in the resulting free-kick from 25 yards for his eighth goal of the season.

But the Pilgrims should have levelled a few minutes later when on-loan striker Blackstock supplied a great through-ball for former Rams loanee Nick Chadwick, who somehow missed the target from just 10 yards out.

Derby pushed hard for a second which nearly came just before the break but Marcus Tudgay's header from Idiakez's corner flashed just past the post.

The Rams raced out of the blocks at the start of the second half, but were denied by the woodwork.

Idiakez did well to control the ball around 22 yards out only for his raking drive to strike the post with Luke McCormick well beaten.

However, the visitors were presented with the perfect chance to equalise in the 54th minute after Coughlan went down in the area under a challenge from Rasiak.

Referee Clive Oliver pointed to the spot, but Paul Wotton blazed the resulting penalty over the crossbar.

Rasiak should have made Argyle pay seconds later but he could only direct his header from Bisgaard's cross straight at McCormick

The Pilgrims were unlucky not to level just four minute later as Southampton marksman Blackstock spun and shot from 10 yards out only to see his effort loop onto the crossbar and out for a goal-kick.

Bobby Williamson's men had the bit between their teeth now as Camp was forced into making a fine save to deny Morris and then made a brilliant one-handed save to prevent Capaldi's 30-yard strike from rocketing into the top corner.

Plymouth threw everything at Derby in the closing stages but Camp kept out Coughlan's header from an Akos Buzsaky corner, although Idiakez hit the crossbar in the last five seconds.

Derby Camp, Kenna, Konjic, Huddlestone, Makin, Bisgaard (Taylor 77), Bolder, Idiakez, Smith, Rasiak, Tudgay (Peschisolido 64).

Subs Not Used: Grant, Mills, Reich.

Goals: Idiakez 24.

Plymouth McCormick, Connolly, Coughlan, Aljofree, Gilbert, Norris, Wotton, Adams (Buzsaky 62), Capaldi (Evans 80), Chadwick, Blackstock.

Subs Not Used: Gudjonsson, Doumbe, Taylor.

Booked: Wotton.

Att: 27,581

Ref: C Oliver (Northumberland).