A double from Kris Commons proved enough to hand Derby victory despite a brave fightback from Doncaster.
Luke Moore opened the scoring with a powerful finish into the top corner before Commons capitalised on a Joseph Mills error to fire high into the net.
Dean Shiels then brought Rovers level with two goals in quick succession, the first, a close-range effort and the second, a low drive into the corner.
But with 20 minutes remaining Commons scored the winner with a tidy finish.
Alberto Bueno was involved in the intricate build-up to the goal and both he, Commons and Tomasz Cywka were involved in most of Derby's good attacking play.
Moore also looked potent and should have scored prior to his opener when he narrowly missed connecting with John Brayford's cross inside the six-yard area.
Neil Sullivan in the Rovers goal had a busy match, saving Bueno's shot from 30 yards and intercepting his dangerous cross, and then saving a side-footed Moore effort.
It was a different story after the break, with opposite number Frank Fielding, who earlier saved a stinging shot from Sharp, called into action to keep out a great strike from John Oster.
Martin Woods and Brian Stock also went close with shots but it was not be Rovers' day.
The win puts Derby on 18 points, only two behind sixth-place Swansea.
90:00+5:07 The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.
90:00+1:47 Centre by Dean Shiels, Brian Stock has shot on goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
90:00+1:30 Dean Shiels takes a short corner.
90:00+1:14 Unfair challenge on Mustapha Dumbuya by Paul Green results in a free kick. Mustapha Dumbuya restarts play with the free kick.
87:14 The ball is delivered by Brian Stock, Billy Sharp takes a shot. Save by Frank Fielding.
87:14 Substitution Kris Commons leaves the field to be replaced by Russell Anderson.
87:14 Dean Moxey challenges James Coppinger unfairly and gives away a free kick.
85:42 Kris Commons decides to take the corner short.
84:35 Paul Green fouled by Brian Stock, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Dean Leacock.
83:36 Corner taken short by Kris Commons.
81:32 Substitution Adam Lockwood comes on in place of Joseph Mills.
81:13 James Coppinger has an effort at goal from the edge of the area that misses to the right of the target.
76:37 Substitution Robbie Savage replaces Alberto Bueno.
76:37 Substitution James Hayter is brought on as a substitute for John Oster.
72:36 Billy Sharp takes a shot. Frank Fielding makes a save.
71:30 GOAL - Kris Commons:Doncaster 2 - 3 Derby Kris Commons grabs a goal from the edge of the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Doncaster 2-3 Derby.
70:41 The assistant referee flags for offside against Paul Green. Free kick taken by Neil Sullivan.
68:26 Shaun Barker challenges James Coppinger unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by John Oster.
68:26 Booking Caution for Shaun Barker.
67:17 The assist for the goal came from Billy Sharp.
67:17 GOAL - Dean Shiels:Doncaster 2 - 2 Derby A goal is scored by Dean Shiels from just inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Doncaster 2-2 Derby.
65:45 Assist by James Coppinger.
65:45 GOAL - Dean Shiels:Doncaster 1 - 2 Derby Dean Shiels finds the back of the net with a goal from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Doncaster 1-2 Derby.
63:35 Martin Woods takes the free kick.
63:35 Substitution Shefki Kuqi on for Luke Moore.
63:35 Paul Green challenges Martin Woods unfairly and gives away a free kick.
60:32 Martin Woods takes a shot. Frank Fielding makes a save.
60:15 Brian Stock fouled by James Bailey, the ref awards a free kick. Brian Stock restarts play with the free kick.
59:30 Martin Woods takes a shot from deep inside the box clearing the bar.
58:16 Assist on the goal came from Paul Green.
58:16 GOAL - Kris Commons:Doncaster 0 - 2 Derby A goal is scored by Kris Commons from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Doncaster 0-2 Derby.
56:59 Shot from just outside the box by Kris Commons misses to the right of the goal.
55:34 Billy Sharp has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the goal.
54:48 Effort on goal by Martin Woods from just inside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the target.
54:20 Paul Green delivers the ball, Luke Moore takes a shot. Save by Neil Sullivan.
51:28 Free kick taken by Dean Leacock.
51:28 Booking Caution for Brian Stock.
51:05 Alberto Bueno fouled by Brian Stock, the ref awards a free kick.
49:42 Free kick awarded for a foul by James Bailey on John Oster. Direct free kick taken by Mustapha Dumbuya.
47:20 Corner taken by Alberto Bueno played to the near post, Luke Moore concedes a free kick for a foul on Byron Webster. Free kick taken by Neil Sullivan.
46:43 Shot from just outside the area by Brian Stock misses to the right of the target.
46:26 John Oster takes a shot. Save by Frank Fielding.
45:14 Luke Moore fouled by Byron Webster, the ref awards a free kick. Paul Green takes the free kick.
45:01 The second half begins.
Half Time
45:00+3:13 The half-time whistle blows.
45:00+2:15 Kris Commons fouled by Martin Woods, the ref awards a free kick. Dean Moxey takes the free kick.
42:46 Paul Green fouled by Martin Woods, the ref awards a free kick. Centre by Kris Commons, Luke Moore takes a shot. Mustapha Dumbuya gets a block in. Alberto Bueno takes a corner.
42:06 Frank Fielding takes the free kick.
42:06 Booking James Coppinger is booked.
41:47 Frank Fielding fouled by James Coppinger, the ref awards a free kick.
41:01 Centre by Tomasz Cywka, save by Neil Sullivan.
39:41 The official flags Luke Moore offside. Byron Webster takes the free kick.
38:02 Substitution Simon Gillett leaves the field to be replaced by Martin Woods.
31:58 Paul Green takes a shot. Save by Neil Sullivan.
30:24 Alberto Bueno takes a shot. Save made by Neil Sullivan.
26:44 Booking The referee books Luke Moore for dissent.
26:19 Kris Commons takes a shot. Save by Neil Sullivan.
25:11 Corner taken short by Kris Commons. Tomasz Cywka takes a shot. Fantastic save by Neil Sullivan.
24:47 Corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons to the near post, Brian Stock makes a clearance.
23:07 Short corner taken by Alberto Bueno. Tomasz Cywka takes a shot. Save by Neil Sullivan.
20:36 Free kick awarded for a foul by Joseph Mills on Luke Moore. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Kris Commons from right channel, Sam Hird makes a clearance.
20:36 Booking Joseph Mills is given a yellow card.
18:51 The assist for the goal came from Kris Commons.
18:51 GOAL - Luke Moore:Doncaster 0 - 1 Derby Luke Moore fires in a goal from inside the six-yard box to the top right corner of the goal. Doncaster 0-1 Derby.
18:48 Kris Commons delivers the ball,
Correction - 18:00 Simon Gillett concedes a free kick for a foul on James Bailey. Direct free kick taken by Dean Leacock.
18:00 Foul by Simon Gillett on James Bailey, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Dean Leacock.
16:33 James Coppinger takes a shot. Save by Frank Fielding.
15:20 Short corner taken by Dean Shiels.
14:05 Kris Commons challenges Mustapha Dumbuya unfairly and gives away a free kick. Neil Sullivan takes the free kick.
13:26 The ball is sent over by Dean Moxey, Luke Moore takes a shot. Neil Sullivan makes a save.
12:07 Foul by Brian Stock on Paul Green, free kick awarded. Dean Leacock takes the free kick.
10:56 Inswinging corner taken by Kris Commons, Byron Webster fouled by Luke Moore, the ref awards a free kick. Neil Sullivan takes the direct free kick.
9:59 Corner taken by Tomasz Cywka, clearance by John Oster.
8:03 Luke Moore is caught offside. Sam Hird takes the free kick.
7:26 John Brayford sends in a cross, Shot from inside the six-yard box by Luke Moore goes wide right of the goal.
3:10 Tomasz Cywka sends in a cross, save by Neil Sullivan.
1:34 Billy Sharp takes a shot. Frank Fielding makes a save.
0:00 The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.
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