Derby County continued their impressive resurgence by beating Preston North End to claim a fourth successive Championship win and climb out of the relegation zone.

After an underwhelming first half, Derby flew out of the traps in the second and Nat Phillips set up two goals in four minutes for Craig Forsyth and Jerry Yates to secure a 2-0 win and three more crucial points for the hosts.

Preston registered just one shot on target, which came in the second minute when Milutin Osmajic was denied by Derby goalkeeper Jacob Zetterstrom after being played in by a Ryan Nyambe error.

Victory lifted John Eustace's side up two places from 22nd to 20th, as they leapfrogged Cardiff City and Hull City to move a point clear of the drop zone with seven games to go.

Mid-table Preston's position remains unchanged as they stayed 14th, now seven points clear of danger.

Derby were in danger of being cut adrift before three pre-international break wins in a row lifted them off the foot of the Championship table and breathed life into their survival bid.

Their start at Pride Park against Preston reflected their confidence as they won a corner inside the first minute.

However, Preston, back in action after their FA Cup quarter-final exit against Aston Villa on Sunday, broke from it and had the game's first chance.

Nyambe's attempted backpass instead ended up being a through ball for Osmajic - but the Preston striker's first two touches took him slightly away from goal and he could only fire straight at Zetterstrom.

That was a let-off for Nyambe but he did not escape injury. The Rams right wing-back hurt himself in the process of trying to play the ball back and was forced off.

Derby then had another injury scare when their other wing-back, Callum Elder, was left writhing in pain after jarring his knee.

Thankfully for the hosts, he was able to run off the injury and return.

Once the game settled into a pattern, Preston dominated possession and could consider themselves unlucky when Osmajic put the ball in the net after the flag had already been raised against Ryan Porteous, who was deemed to have been offside before he flicked on.

However, replays showed Porteous was onside before his involvement in the move.

Derby offered little in response before half-time but began the second half with much more intent, and were rewarded with the opening goal in the 48th minute.

Phillips knocked down Elder's deep corner to experienced defender Forsyth, who managed to sort his feet out, avoided team-mate Ebou Adams and squeezed a left-footed finish into the bottom corner.

Four minutes later things got even better for Derby. Elder's cross was again knocked down by Phillips and Yates pounced, getting a crucial touch to nudge the ball past Preston goalkeeper David Cornell for his first goal in eight games.

Ryan Ledson curled just off target with a presentable chance created by Kaine Kesler-Hayden as Preston sought a way back into the game.

With time running out, Preston appeared to have more grounds for complaint after substitute Emil Riis was brought down by Phillips in the box but referee Stephen Martin gave a corner rather than penalty, much to the bemusement of boss Paul Heckingbottom.

But, overall, Derby had few problems seeing the game out after establishing their two-goal advantage with their brilliant start to the second half.

Derby head coach John Eustace told BBC Radio Derby:

"I'm very proud of the football club, the players, the staff, the fans. It's a huge effort [to win four Championship games in a row for the first time in five years], not down to any individual.

"It's about a family. I spoke when I came in about wanting to create a family here at the football club and whatever happens this year it's important that we all grow together and we're successful together and that's not done in a short period. That's done over a long period.

"It's important that we don't get too carried away.

"We've got a huge game now on Saturday [at 16th-placed Swansea] and we'll prepare properly for that.

"It makes no difference if we're out the bottom three tonight. We want to be out of the bottom three after the last game of this season.

"That's all I'm worried about. We're making small steps forward. You can see there's a confidence in the group and that's all I can ask for."

Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"The second half was a totally different game and as if we'd not prepared for the team we were playing against.

"It's horrible getting beaten but the frustration is how much I felt we were in control and dealing with their threats.

"In the second half all of a sudden we're not winning the duels, leaving men at set-plays and then we walk away from a second phase throw put in our box and all of a sudden we're outnumbered and one of their best headers is left free.

"That 10-minute spell just took the game away from us."