Jerry Yates' goal was his second of the season for Derby County
Jerry Yates led the way as Derby County clinched their first away win of the season and ended Coventry City’s recent improved form.
The Sky Blues had won their two previous matches, but were far from their best against Paul Warne’s side.
Yates, who had scored just once following his summer loan move from Swansea, broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when he pounced on Jack Rudoni’s poor back pass to Coventry goalkeeper Oliver Dovin.
Yates also played a big part in the second goal when his 73rd minute shot struck Bobby Thomas and looped over the Coventry goalkeeper - and despite the Derby forward claiming his second of the night, it was given as an own goal.
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto pulled one back five minutes later to give the hosts’ hope, but Derby held on to take all three points.
Mark Robins’ Sky Blues were picked apart by the visitors as Ben Sheaf lost possession in what was to set the tone for an insipid first-half.
Dajaune Brown drove forward from midfield only to be denied by a timely Thomas intervention.
But the Rams took the lead when Jack Rudoni failed to spot Yates as he attempted to pass the ball back to Dovin, and he stepped around the Coventry keeper before slotting the ball into the empty net.
Coventry had scored three goals in both of their previous two games, but their first- half display did little to enthuse a subdued home crowd.
The hosts were penned back by Derby during the opening moments after the break – the visitors forcing two successive corners.
And it was Brandon Thomas-Asante who was to have Coventry’s first serious attempt on goal in the 57th minute after being teed up by Sheaf, but his shot flew narrowly wide.
They went even closer when a whipped cross found Sakamoto, but his close-range effort was blocked and cleared away.
The game was opening up and it was Derby who went close next as sub Nathaniel Mendez-Laing provided a great ball across the face of goal for Liam Thompson, who just could not apply the finishing touch.
But the second arrived thanks to Yates, who ran onto a flick from Craig Forsyth and his shot took a deflection off Thomas, giving Dovin no chance.
Sakamoto reduced the arrears just five minutes later as Jay Dasilva played a short pass to the Japanese winger, who cut onto his left foot and struck a powerful low shot to beat Jacob Widell Zetterström.
Coventry appealed for a penalty after Ephron Mason-Clark went down in the box following a push by Curtis Nelson but the referee waved play on and defeat left them 17th in the table.
Coventry manager Mark Robins told BBC CWR:
"We didn't deserve anything. They worked their socks off and we gave them a leg-up with a goal from a really poor backpass.
"We were too narrow. The space off the sides of them, we didn’t use well enough. They went man-for-man all over the pitch and then we struggled to find the space.
"They made it really difficult for us to create any real openings. And those we did have we were wasteful with.
"This group have to get used to the fact that this league is unforgiving and that you have to hit a certain level to have any chance of winning a game. You haven’t cracked it if you’ve won a couple, and you can’t just then swagger into a game like that."
Derby boss Paul Warne told BBC Radio Derby:
"I am really pleased. We always try to set up to win every game, so for us to win away, in front of a really good following, is pleasing.
"The fans have been like that for every game. Even when we lost at the weekend, they were there clapping the team off. That’s what real fans do – they support the team in good and bad times. You’re involved in football for those moments.
"There were some really good performances. I thought Thommo (Liam Thompson) was excellent, Kenzo (Kenzo Goudmijn) was outstanding.
"I love Thommo. His attitude is spot on, and that’s why he’s going to have a really good career. Can he go again on Saturday? That’s the question. He adds so much with his work rate and attitude."
