Jarrod Bowen has scored in three games running for the Tigers
Hull City secured back-to-back league wins for the first time this season as Jarrod Bowen's late double floored Derby.
Bowen headed in Kamil Grosicki's deep cross at the back post to put the hosts ahead, and the two combined again moments later when the Poland international teed up City's leading scorer to add his eighth league goal of the season.
The Rams were guilty of not taking their chances in an open, evenly-fought match, but both sides lacked a cutting edge in attack.
Tom Lawrence thought he had put the Rams in front shortly after the break with a scrambled finish, but was adjudged to have fouled Eric Lichaj in challenging for Jayden Bogle's cross.
Both sides came into the game looking to build some consistency, with Hull having won just one of their last six matches at the KCOM Stadium, and the Rams without a victory on the road in the league since the opening day of the season.
Both defences appeared vulnerable throughout, but goalmouth excitement was at a premium for much of the match.
Derby enjoyed more than two-thirds of the possession in an end-to-end first half and they went closest right on half-time when Lawrence's free-kick fell to Chris Martin, but Callum Elder cleared a scuffed effort off the line.
Kieran Dowell provided the best moment of quality with a fine pass which allowed Lawrence to beat the offside trap, but Tigers goalkeeper George Long made the save.
The Tigers looked to have wasted a golden chance for a winner midway through the second half when Jon Toral played through Grosicki who, for the second time in the game, opted to pass instead of shooting when one-on-one.
But Bowen's double lifted Hull into 12th after a fourth win in seven Championship matches, while County dropped to 16th after their second defeat in three.
Hull manager Grant McCann told BBC Radio Humberside:
"We didn't get too downbeat after losing two games. We stayed calm and collected, we looked at what we could improve on and what we do well, and we've rectified the two defeats with two wins against sides that are fancied to be in the top six.
"He (Jarrod Bowen) is a top talent, I think he is the best, if not one of the best, in the league in terms of what he does.
"He wants to play in the Premier League, but he loves it here and he would love to get to the Premier League with Hull one day."
Derby boss Phillip Cocu told BBC Radio Derby:
"I am very pleased how we performed today as a team in an away game and we have to continue the football combined with attitude and then we will get a win.
"The key moment is the goal for Tom not given and given as a foul. It was a hard decision for us because if we go 1-0 up then I think we will win the game.
"We made some mistakes in passing and that's something they waited for all game."
