Branko Strupar ended months of injury misery by scoring the vital second goal which boosted Derby's hopes of Premiership survival but almost certainly sent Leicester through the relegation trapdoor.

The Belgium international started his first game for 11 months in place of the suspended Fabrizio Ravanelli after a groin problem which has required a succession of operations.

But all that frustration evaporated when he curled a shot past Foxes keeper Ian Walker and then waved his shirt above his head in celebration.

The strike doubled Derby's advantage after Georgi Kinkladze had scored his first league goal of the campaign.

The Rams then wrapped the win in injury time when Lee Morris added a third, giving new manager John Gregory his first-ever win at Filbert Street.

It was also the second victory in three matches for County since Gregory took charge and boosted their hopes of preserving their top-flight status. They also had to play for an hour without keeper Andy Oakes after he suffered concussion in a clash with James Scowcroft.

But for Leicester their six-year run in the top flight is now almost certainly over and the Derby fans taunted them with chants of "Cheerio".

The home side dominated the first half but they struggled to find a way through a Derby defence in which Danny Higginbotham was in outstanding form.

But England Under-21 striker Malcolm Christie was always a threat even if the glory went to Kinkladze and Strupar, and he had a hand in the build-up to all three goals.

Leicester, bidding to end a run of 11 league games without a win, were soon into their stride and forced five corners in the first 20 minutes although they found it hard to create clear-cut chances.

Foxes skipper Matt Elliott had a shot deflected over the bar off Strupar and Robbie Savage appealed in vain for a penalty after Higginbotham handled but the offence clearly took place outside the area.

Luciano Zvagno then hardly covered himself in glory when he went crashing to the ground after the slightest brush in an off-the-ball spat with the combative Savage.

Derby had the ball in the net through Strupar but referee Mike Riley ruled that Christie had fouled Walker.

Then at the other end it was the home side's turn to have an effort ruled out when Andy Oakes failed to hold onto a cross from Andrew Impey when under pressure from Scowcroft.

Muzzy Izzet tucked away the rebound but again Riley decided that a foul had been committed and Oakes was to pay no further part in the game and was stretchered off to be replaced by on loan signing Patrick Foletti.

But the Lucerne player should have been picking the ball out of the net when Scowcroft missed the best chance of the opening half after 34 minutes.

Stefan Oakes floated over a left-wing free-kick and Scowcroft lost his markers to find himself with the goal at his mercy but he sent his header wide of the post much to Foletti's relief.

Robert Lee became the first player to be yellow carded for a challenge on Oakes and Izzet followed him into the book before the interval for a tackle on Christie.

Kinkladze then delivered the knockout when he struck after Christie had held the ball up on the edge of the area.

His low shot was on target but it took a slight deflection off Stefan Oakes as it flew past Walker into the corner of the net.

Dave Bassett almost immediately brought on Brian Deane, fit again after a six week lay-off with a calf injury, and he went close to equalising when his low shot was saved by the legs of Foletti.

But then the Rams doubled their lead after 63 minutes through Strupar - with Christie again involved in the build-up.

He received a pass from Pierre Ducrocq and then the ball deflected into the path of Strupar who curled a shot past the despairing dive of Walker from the edge of the area.

That was the end of the contest but in injury-time Christie broke clear down the right and centred for Morris to put the icing on the cake for the Rams.

Teams:

Leicester: Walker, Sinclair, Elliott, Laursen, Davidson, Impey (Marshall 69), Savage, Oakes (Deane 58), Izzet, Scowcroft, Piper (Dickov 69).

Subs Not Used: Royce, Reeves.

Booked: Izzet, Savage, Deane, Dickov.

Derby: Oakes (Foletti 32), Grenet, Barton, Higginbotham, Zavagno, Ducrocq, Lee, Boertien, Kinkladze (Morris 82), Strupar (Valakari 69), Christie.

Subs Not Used: Carbonari, Elliott.

Booked: Lee, Zavagno.

Goals: Kinkladze 53, Strupar 64, Morris 89.

Att: 21,620

Ref: M Riley (Leeds).