Rob Hulse struck against his old club to give Paul Jewell his first win as Derby boss at home to Sheffield United.
Derby went in front as Kris Commons's whipped cross was turned into his own net by Matt Kilgallon.
However, two minutes later the Blades were level as Darius Henderson headed Greg Halford's cross past Roy Carroll.
Derby were denied a penalty in the second half, but their first league win in a year was secured when Hulse slid the ball home from close range.
Derby manager Paul Jewell on his first league win in charge of the Rams:
"My feelings are a mixture of joy and relief for everyone at the club because it has been painful.
"It hasn't been nice but I am a big boy and you've got to take criticism on the chin.
"But I believe that we can now get on a decent run and we will improve as the season goes on."
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell:
"I have got a genuine set of lads who are great to work with and we just had a bad day at the office.
"We knew this was going to be a tricky game but they kept going and we could have nicked something at the end.
"I'm not going to knock them, it's disappointing but we were not at the races today but these things happen to everybody. They are not machines, we will dust ourselves down and go again."
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