Steve Howard scored twice as Derby took a giant stride towards Wembley with victory in their Coca-Cola Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Southampton.
Andrew Surman lit up St Mary's with a stunning goal to give Saints an early lead, but Howard pegged the hosts back before half-time with a firm header and fired Derby ahead from the penalty spot.
The Rams will now take a precious lead back to Pride Park on Tuesday night as they attempt to move to within 90 minutes of a lucrative return to the Premiership.
Saints will look back on a number of missed chances, however, with Marek Saganowski twice rattling the woodwork.
The division's top scorers away from home will still feel they are in the tie, but they have just three days to work on some distinctly rusty finishing or a third season outside the top flight beckons.
See full report in match reports 2006-7 section
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