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Reading went into the game with a very different lineup to the one that had beaten Leeds in midweek, with Royston Drenthe, Wayne Bridge, Danny Williams and Jem Karacan all ruled out due to injury while Nick Blackman was also dropped to the bench. In their place came Chris Gunter, Pavel Pogrebyak and Garath McCleary, while Jordan Obita made his full league debut for Reading as did new signing Chris Baird.
In truth the first half was a low key affair, though Alex McCarthy was easily the busiest of the two keepers including a good stop from Derby's highly touted midfielder Will Hughes.
At the other end and McCleary was making himself a nuisance but Reading only came alive in the second period when Pavel Pogrebnyak bundled home after Alex Pearce flicked on Obita's ball into the box.
The Russian wasn't done there and for the first time in his Reading career he snagged a brace when he finished well from McCleary's cross.
Derby didn't give up though and Hughes scored an exquisite goal to bring Nigel Clough's side back into it with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Reading were left to sweat, especially when six minutes of injury time was announced but really Derby looked pretty toothless and another Royals forward earned a chance to make his point to the away fans as Nick Blackman scored a third.
Reading are slowly grinding into life and the fact they've managed to dig this one out despite numerous injuries is nothing but a positive going forward. If Pog and Blackman go on from here well... the Championship is the limit.
As mentioned Jon will be here later to give a more in depth account from Pride Park but meanwhile we can all enjoy a positive Saturday night!