With Jake Buxton being ruled out for about eight weeks, Mark O'Brien made a welcome return to first team action. Nigel Clough also preferred to go with Conor Sammon playing a lone striker role with Craig Bryson playing behind him.
Visiting a side who have been struggling at home often presents a golden opportunity to grab some away points and Derby did just that.
The Rams made a bright start and played some neat football in the opening few minutes of the game. The breakthrough came after 34 minutes when Jeff Hendrick met a Michael Jacobs cross to hit a volley past Heaton in the Bristol City goal.
Travelling fans didn't have to wait long for a second goal. Gareth Roberts crossed for Craig Bryson to head against a helpless Heaton.
The home side could have pulled a goal back just before the break when Baldick broke through, but his effort was saved by Adam Legzdins.
Bristol City did try to step it up in the second half, however the killer instinct in front of goal was lacking.
Derby nearly added a third in the 66th minute, but Jacobs effort was deflected wide by the home defence.
A good away win for Derby and they now sit just three points outside the Top six. Victory against a good looking Hull side on Friday night would for 24 hours at least see the gap closed.
Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, O’Brien (Freeman 87), Roberts; Coutts, Hendrick, Bryson (B. Davies 68), Hughes (O’Connor 90), Jacobs; Sammon.
Subs Not Used: Fielding, Tyson, Robinson, Doyle.
Bristol City: Heaton, Foster, Bates (Cunningham 44), McManus, Fontaine; Adomah, Elliott, Bryan (Stead 71), Danns; Taylor (S. Davies 46), Baldock.
Subs Not Used: Gerken, Wilson, Pearson, Anderson.
Man of the match - Michael Jacobs
Attendance: 12,526 (846 Visiting Supporters)
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