Kayden Jackson's composed first-half strike was the summer signing's second goal of the season
Kayden Jackson's ice-cool finish earned Derby County their first Championship win of the season as Middlesbrough failed to make their dominance count at Pride Park.
Jackson took full advantage of a dreadful Isaiah Jones backpass, running more than half the length of the pitch before rounding keeper Seny Dieng and slotting home an early opener.
Boro, chasing a third consecutive win this season, had almost 70% possession and a succession of long-range attempts.
Michael Carrick's side also hit the post through a deflected Delano Burgzorg shot, while the striker's guided header was correctly ruled out for offside.
But Derby withstood the increasing pressure with commendable resilience and spirit to see out the win.
The clean sheet was all the more impressive given the hosts lost defenders Eiran Cashin and Kane Wilson to injury before the break.
But the Rams maintained their shape and discipline, largely restricting the visitors to efforts from distance.
A confident Boro start was a seamless follow up to the 1-0 victory over Swansea in their Championship opener, and the eye-catching 3-0 Carabao Cup success at Leeds United in midweek.
A delightful move almost led to Jones teeing up Emmanuel Latte Lath, but the striker was unable to get on the end of the cross and grab an eighth goal in consecutive league games.
But having almost set up the opener, Jones gifted the Rams the lead after Jackson headed the ball away following a Boro corner.
The midfielder tried to play a first-time pass back to his keeper but left it way too short and Jackson ran from inside his own half for his second goal of the season.
Boro were still in control and responded impressively. Finn Azaz forced keeper Josh Vickers into a decent save from the edge of the box after some nifty footwork and was also off target with a rasping 20-yard effort, while a fierce Lukas Engel strike went a whisker wide.
The visitors continued to dominate possession and create chances.
Burgzorg was unlucky with his deflected strike but most came from distance, with Morris mis-hitting from 18 yards, Azaz dragging an effort narrowly wide, and Hayden Hackney forcing Vickers into a scrambling stop.
Derby's main threat came from set-pieces through a combination of their physical presence and excellent movement, notably when Ben Osborn's measured strike was blocked, but they did not need the insurance of a second goal.
Derby head coach Paul Warne on the win and the performance of Josh Vickers following the signing of fellow keeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom:
"I think we rode our luck at times. I'm not pretending that we didnt, but to win games of football there are a lot of things that come into it.
"We win 1-0 at home and our best player is Josh Vickers. Everything he did today was bang on the money and that's why I brought him to the club, he’s an amazing goalkeeper.
"I'll speak to the coaches and the goalkeeping coach, I'll watch Jacob train this week. I'm always the same, I'm always fair on my players and the best players play.
"They are both very good goalkeepers, which is why I brought Josh to the club and Jacob to the club – and he can sell calendars. He is one handsome man, we've bought the Swedish James Bond!"
Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick:
"Starting the game, we weren't totally at it. There were a couple of bits of sloppy play and then the goal, it's not easy to pull that back.
"We tried, we did some good things at times, created chances and the longer the game goes it becomes frustrating, so obviously disappointed with the result.
"It's no surprise as to how the game panned out, we couldn't do enough today to claw it back, we gave ourselves too much to do.
"We were off it in a couple of moments at the beginning of the game and we've definitely got to get better at that and be a bit more ruthless and smarter at how we start the game, but we'll get there."
