Derby County lead Sheffield Wednesday at the break in their Championship clash at Pride Park.
The Rams dominated the game in the early stages and could have opened the scoring when Craig Bryson's shot from 30 yards was deflected, but it went just wide with Chris Kirkland stranded.
Steve McClaren's side were passing the ball well and Craig Forsyth raided down the left and fired a cross into the middle for Chris Martin in the middle, but he could only poke his effort wide.
The Owls responded on a counter-attack as Michail Antonio raced away down the left and lifted a cross into the area, but Seyi Olafinjana couldn't find the target with his header from close range.
Derby broke the deadlock right on half time when Jamie Ward delivered a corner into the area and Jake Buxton rose unchallenged in the air to head the ball into the net.
Simon Sinclair
