Rob Hulse scored his 17th goal of the season at Sheffield Wednesday to end Derby's five-game winless streak.

He headed home Gary Teale's left-wing free-kick from eight yards out at the end of a fairly lacklustre first half.

Wednesday's Darren Potter and Marcus Todgay both hit the bar just before Hulse showed them how it was done.

He then turned defender to deflect a Tudgay effort over his own bar, with Richard Hinds' close-range header being Wednesday's other best chance.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws:

"We were better after the break and put Derby under pressure.

"We had enough chances to get the result. Derby had a bit of fortune, we hit the crossbar and had balls cleared off the line.

"Marcus Tudgay had three opportunities, but that sometimes happens."

Derby assistant manager Gary Crosby:

"Psychologically it is definitely a big boost to get over the 50-point mark.

"Obviously we are not safe but it is good to get over that barrier.

"We aren't setting ourselves any targets as far as points go, just to get to a point where we mathematically can't go down."

Sheff Wed: Grant, Buxton, Wood, Hinds, Simek, McAllister, Potter, O'Connor (Clarke 55), Johnson (Esajas 68), Tudgay, Jeffers (Sodje 55). Subs Not Used: Beevers, Boden.

Booked: O'Connor.

Derby: Bywater, Connolly, Nyatanga (Todd 46), Albrechtsen, McEveley, Bannan (Sterjovski 61), Pearson, Eustace, Teale, Commons (Savage 79), Hulse. Subs Not Used: Price, Villa.

Booked: Hulse, Bywater.

Goals: Hulse 45.

Att: 24,392

Ref: Steve Tanner (Somerset).

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