Paul Green's second half strike stretched Derby's unbeaten Championship run to seven games as they beat Plymouth at Pride Park.
On-loan Blackburn striker Paul Gallacher gave the visitors the lead with a ferocious shot from 25 yards.
However, Derby were level on the stroke of half-time as Rob Hulse turned in Kris Commons' cut-back from 12 yards.
Derby won it as Green's shot was turned onto the post by Roman Larrieu before it trickled over the line.
Derby manager Paul Jewell: "We were a little bit fortunate, we know that, but it's important to get something out of games when you don't play to your potential.
"This was a victory for teamwork and spirit. We have got a load of games over the next four or five weeks and there is a huge number of points to play for.
"I'm not going to make predictions but I do know that we will get better and as far as teamwork and resilience is concerned, we are hard to beat now."
Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock: "We were disappointed that we went to sleep for five minutes before half-time and 10 minutes afterwards.
"That has cost us dear but I think there are still a lot of positives that we can take out of the game.
"After five games I didn't believe in these players and I don't think they believed in themselves. But I believe in them now and I think that we can push on from here."
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