Middlesbrough target Malcolm Christie helped Derby secure the points at Stoke with a goal that would have graced the top flight.

Christie took his league tally for the season to eight by thumping home a superb volley in the 49th minute.

Whether cash-strapped Derby will be able to hang onto him while the transfer window remains open remains to be seen.

Middlesbrough are keen to take Christie and defender Chris Riggott - absent with a knee injury - on loan with a view to a permanent �3 transfer in the summer.

Christie's goal gave Derby the edge only for Chris Greenacre to draw the home side level.

However, Luciano Zavango and Lee Morris also found the target to leave Stoke still in deep trouble near the foot of the table.

Bjarni Gudjonsson split the Derby defence by delivering a good cross in the 33rd minute.

Richardson, on loan from Leeds, got on the end of it but his touch let him down.

Late goals

The home side upped the pressure and Lee Grant turned away a shot from Marcus Hall after a neat one-two with Gudjonsson.

There was no respite for Stoke with Christie making the breakthrough in the 49th minute with a wonderful volley following a corner from Giorgi Kinkladze.

Stoke drew level in the 63rd minute through Greenacre who side-footed the ball home.

Derby got themselves in a tangle when Brynjar Gunnarsson delivered the cross and Greenacre made no mistake.

The visitors regained the lead in the 73rd minute after Christie and Kinkladze both had shots blocked.

Kinkladze took the corner and Zavango got away from his marker to power in a header.

It was his second goal in successive games after he converted a penalty in the draw against Gillingham last week.

Morris was rewarded for his industry and skill by getting Derby's third goal a minute from time with a thumping drive.

Stoke: Banks, Thomas, Handyside, Shtanuk, Marcus Hall, Gudjonsson, Gunnarsson, O'Connor, Richardson, Greenacre, Iwelumo. Subs: Cutler, Goodfellow, Marteinsson, Mills, Henry.

Derby: Grant, Jackson, Evatt, Higginbotham, Zavagno, Bolder, Burley, Kinkladze, Boertien, Christie, Morris. Subs: Oakes, Tudgay, Mills, Murray, McLeod.

Referee: A Kaye (W Yorkshire)