Derby County returned to winning ways in Sky Bet League One, following back-to-back draws at Portsmouth and Wycombe Wanderers, thanks to a 3-0 victory over Leyton Orient on Saturday afternoon.
First half goals from Kane Wilson and Sonny Bradley got the Rams on their way before Bradley headed home his second of the day late on to seal a big three points at Pride Park Stadium.
The Rams went close in the opening stages when Ebou Adams' cross-shot wasn't held by Orient's goalkeeper Sol Brynn at the near post before a defender did well to scramble the ball away ahead of Louie Sibley, who was running in to poke home.
Derby were in front after 10 minutes through Wilson to reward them for their fast start. Captain Nathaniel Mendez-Laing's corner evaded everyone in the box apart from Wilson, who was free at the back post to prod into an open net from a yard out for his third goal of the season.
It was two within 20 minutes, this time the returning Bradley with the goal to makr his return from suspension in style. Another corner was whipped in and Bradley got beyond his marker with his outstretched boot to volley into the roof of the net.
Chances were few and far between following the second goal, but that wasn't a negative for the Rams who looked incredibly comfortable knocking the ball around during the half.
The visitors had the first chance of the second period and it very nearly crept in. Shaq Forde did well down the right to work a yard before whipping an effort towards goal which dipped just over Joe Wildsmith's crossbar via a deflection.
Up the other end and the Rams nearly made it three when Mendez-Laing got on the end of Sibley's low cross, but the former flicked a clever effort over the bar with the outside of his foot.
Another opportunity soon fell the way of Mendez-Laing when he latched onto a through ball but Brynn did well to race out of his goal and deny the forward with a brave stop.
The game was producing far more chances in the second half and the visitors again went close when Ethan Galbraith hooked an effort inches over following good work from substitute Dan Agyei.
Sibley dinked an effort agonisingly wide of the post from a tight angle as the Rams looked to put the game out of sight and defender Omar Beckles did brilliantly to intercept what would have been a tap in for striker James Collins at the far post.
But the Rams did put the game to bed with their third of the afternoon with just three minutes remaining. Substitute Conor Hourihane delivered a pinpoint corner on to the head of Bradley who rose above everyone to nod home his second and Derby's third of the afternoon.
Substitute Conor Washington nearly added a fourth in stoppage time when he directed a diving header just wide but it mattered not as the Rams cemented a big three points to put them back in the driving seat for automatic promotion in second place.
Derby County: Wildsmith (GK), Wilson, Bradley, Cashin, Collins (87' Washington), Mendez-Laing (C) (87' Barkhuizen), Smith (87' Fornah), Thompson (77' Hourihane), Sibley, Adams (89' Waghorn), Nelson.
Substitutes not used: Vickers (GK), Blackett-Taylor.
Leyton Orient: Brynn (GK), James (77' Sanders), Simpson, Brown, Moncur (63' Hunt), Forde, Pratley (C) (77' Obiero), Beckles, O'Neil, Galbraith, Edwards (46' Agyei).
Substitutes not used: Howes (GK), Adu-Adjei, Chinedu.
30,247 (1,419 Leyton Orient supporters).
The Rams are on the road next week for the penultimate fixture of the regular 2023/24 Sky Bet League One when they take on Cambridge United (3pm kick-off).
