ROB Hulse's double last night took his goal tally to five for the season and gave Derby County a crucial win going into the two-week international break.

Hulse shook off the stomach bug that laid him low last weekend to shoot down Coventry City, who played the final half an hour with 10 men after young full-back Jordan Clarke was sent off after collecting his second yellow card.

The visitors dented the Rams' fragile confidence when they took an early lead through Leon Best but Nigel Clough's team showed tremendous character to hit back in a lively Championship clash at Pride Park Stadium.

They regrouped at the break and two superb finishes from Hulse secured a 2-1 victory.

Hulse then missed a chance to complete a hat-trick when his tame penalty was saved by Dimi Konstantopoulos.

The miss led to a few nervy minutes late on but the Rams took the three points and halted a sequence of three consecutive defeats.

Both teams went into the game needing a good result and both were glad to see the back of October, a month in which Derby collected four points from 15 and Coventry only two.

Paul Green returned for the Rams after spending two months out with a foot injury and Bryan Hughes was unlucky to drop to the bench after his performance in the defeat at Ipswich.

Dean Leacock and Hulse were back after illness. Leacock was at the heart of the defence with Shaun Barker – Derby's first choice centre-back pairing – and Hulse partnered Paul Dickov up front.

Jay McEveley, armed with a mask to protect his fractured cheekbone, was among the substitutes, as was Miles Addison.

Like Green, Addison has been troubled by a foot injury.

Coventry have also had injury problems but they were able to make four changes to the team beaten by Reading.

In came Elliott Ward, Issac Osbourne, Best and new loan signing Leon Barnett. The centre-half has joined the Sky Blues from West Bromwich Albion.

Derby's run of three defeats on the spin left them determined to make amends and Chris Coleman warned his Coventry players that the Rams would be quick out of the traps.

But Coleman saw his side make a fine start and take a fourth-minute lead.

Freddy Eastwood centred from the left and Best headed into a crowded six-yard box. Stephen Bywater punched the ball down rather than up and it dropped to Best, who drilled a half-volley across Bywater and into the corner.

Bywater is rated by manager Nigel Clough as one of the top six English keepers but he should have done better, much better.

The finish was well-executed and Best had his seventh goal of the season to move one ahead of team-mate Clinton Morrison at the top of Coventry's goal chart.

Falling behind so early was a real blow for the Rams but twice in the next few minutes they went within inches of an equaliser.

Leacock's shot took a deflection and flashed past a post. Coventry goalkeeper Konstantopoulos breathed a sigh of relief, as he did when a strike from Hulse also went wide of the same upright.

Referee Phil Crossley waved away strong claims for a Derby penalty after Ward's challenge on Barker.

Gary Teale's corner was headed down by Leacock and Barker helped the ball towards goal before he was clattered by Ward. The Coventry defender was clumsy, rash and late. How can that not be a penalty?

Leacock and Barker needed treatment for cuts to the head, suffered in separate incidents, and yellow cards were shown to Dickov and Barnett after a scuffle.

Coventry, boosted by being ahead, strung passes together, much to the delight of their small band of fans and a few groans started to emerge from some sections of the home support.

But the effort of the Rams players could not be faulted.

Teale's low drive fizzed wide and then Dickov squandered an absolute gem of a chance to level on the stroke of half-time.

Leacock picked out Pearson, who drove into the box. The crowd screamed for the Scot to shoot but he pulled the ball back for Dickov, who somehow blazed his effort high over when it looked easier to score.

The moment will still be whirling round his mind today.

Derby should not have trailed at the break and so needed something early in the second half to keep belief bubbling.

They drew level four minutes after the restart.

Dickov delivered the ball in to Hulse, who made the most of the time and space he was given. The striker controlled with his chest and fired right-footed wide of Konstantopoulos as Ward challenged.

Hulse then put the Rams ahead just after the hour mark with another great finish.

Pearson raided down the inside-left channel but he seemed to over-hit his cross. Dickov did well to retrieve it and he pulled the ball back for Hulse, who cracked a first-time shot low past Konstantopoulos.

Coventry were behind and they lost a man a minute later when Clarke was dismissed after being shown his second yellow card.

He lunged in on Robbie Savage by the touchline and angry Coventry players felt the Rams skipper stayed down too long. This led to a bout of pushing and shoving, before order was restored and Clarke left for the dressing room.

Crashing to the turf left Savage with a bloodied nose and he twice had to change his shirt.

Derby missed a golden opportunity to end the contest nine minutes from time.

Teale's centre was aimed at Lee Croft, who had just come on. He was pushed to the ground by another substitute, Chris Hussey, but Hulse's penalty was saved by Konstantopoulos low to his left.

Nervous Rams supporters counted down the minutes, although there were opportunities to further punish Coventry on the break. Derby are no Arsenal when it comes to counter-attacking.

Savage impressed again. He calmed things down by using the ball simply and sensibly.

Pearson was terrific and Green did as well as could be expected considering the length of time he has been out.

Pearson and Green are perfect foils for Savage and it showed, particularly in the second half, when Derby played with greater purpose and their passing improved.

Green received a good hand from the fans when he was replaced, as did Dickov, whose tireless, unselfish work for the team must not be overlooked.

The striker also set up Hulse for both goals.

Derby should have been more ruthless and could have paid the price in stoppage time when Aron Gunnarsson hurled a couple of long throws into the box.

Clough's first win as Rams manager was against Coventry. That was an important victory and so was this.