Luke Graham's first Stoke City goal reinforced their place in the play-off positions and deepened Derby County's gloom at Pride Park.

The Scotland defender netted with a deflected header in the second half as the Potters returned to winning ways following a late defeat at home to Middlesbrough in midweek.

Victory gave Stoke their first win away against Derby since 2007, and leaves John Eustace's side still awaiting their first home win of the season, and sitting second from bottom in the Championship table.

Stoke were indebted to goalkeeper Viktor Johansson as he produced a terrific save from David Ozoh late in the game to keep the lead intact.

That late loss to in-form Boro had been Stoke's first reverse in seven games, but they had to dig deep to eke out a result in a poor game against an injury-hit Derby side who have no wins in their past six in the Championship.

The only excitement of the first half came as Rams' striker Carlton Morris threatened to burst through on goal but went down under a challenge from Bosun Lawal, bringing loud protests from Eustace on the sidelines.

Potters boss Mark Robins sent on George Hirst as a substitute at half-time but it was another Scottish summer signing who made the breakthrough just four minutes after the restart.

Ethan Galbraith lifted a free-kick into the box and Graham, signed from Dundee, saw his header strike Morris on the back and loop beyond the grasp of Rams keeper Josh Vickers.

With Lewis Travis limping off shortly afterwards, after making his first start since August due to injury, Derby were cursing their luck.

They offered a response as Rhian Brewster's shot glanced off the outside of a post, but Stoke countered dangerously, with Hirst, Djibril Soumare and Justin Devenny all going close to adding a second.

Derby summoned one last effort and almost snatched a point as Morris headed the ball on and Ozoh's volley was heading for the bottom corner until Johansson got down brilliantly to turn it away.

Derby manager John Eustace told BBC Radio Derby:

"It's a really tough one to take. I don't think we deserved to lose. We asked for a reaction after Wednesday and we certainly got that - against a really good team.

"We felt in control. The most disappointing thing is the way we conceded the goal. We had gone down to 10 men with Lewis going off [injured] just before and it was a blatant foul before that with Hedgey [Ryan Hedges] getting pushed over. We're just not getting the rub of the green at the moment.

"Defensively we were really solid and we created a few good chances in the second half, but we're in a tough period at the moment and it's not going to be free-flowing.

"The group today were excellent, the attitude was really good and you've just got to keep believing and going forward."

Stoke manager Mark Robins told BBC Radio Stoke:

"We had to dig deep. We could have made it easier for ourselves if we'd had a little bit of quality but three-game weeks are especially tough, and whenever you come up against John's [Eustace's] teams you have to be good in possession, because they make it really hard for you out of possession.

"They showed a lot of energy, commitment and courage to try to stop us from playing, and we showed a lot of courage to try to break them down.

"We're still a work in progress and the massive thing for me is the resilience we're showing; a desire to win headers, run, and make those last-ditch tackles when we have to stop crosses coming in.

"We've got to keep doing that, keep finding a way, and the other side will come."