Howard grabbed a deadly double as the Rams took a giant stride towards Wembley with a 2-1 win at St Mary's in the first leg of their semi-final.

Andrew Surman put the Saints into the lead with a stunning goal, but Howard pegged the hosts back before half time with a firm header before firing 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 within 90 minutes of a lucrative return to the Premiership, but Davies knows the job is far from finished.

"We won't be complacent as we know it is only half time," said Davies.

"We came here to put ourselves in contention for the second leg and that's what we've done with a very good result. We showed great discipline and courage to come back.

"It's your worst nightmare to come and go behind early on, but we did and they were two great goals from Steve. We've had a few players coming back from injury and today we've put in a performance that we know we are capable of with those players."

The Scot failed to reassure supporters about his future at the club amid talk of unrest behind the scenes at Pride Park, however. "My only focus is the remaining games, I'm not thinking about anything else. After that we'll sit down and see what happens," he added.

Derby fell behind to a touch of class from young midfielder Surman, who exchanged passes with Marek Saganowski before sending a superb left-footed curler past Stephen Bywater after just seven minutes.

Saganowski rattled the crossbar and Chris Baird sent a header just wide before Derby dragged themselves level courtesy of Howard's header from former Saint Matt Oakley's cross.

Howard then fired the Rams ahead from the penalty spot after Stephen Pearson went over Pele's out stretched leg, before Saganowski thumped another shot against the bar.

Saints boss George Burley faces the prospect of chasing the game at Pride Park without 16-goal striker Kenwyne Jones and teenage talisman Gareth Bale.

Jones, who had a decent claim for a penalty after being hampered by Tyrone Mears, came off with a groin problem while Bale suffered an ankle injury.

"Gareth's on crutches again and Kenwyne is also a doubt," said Burley.

"We lost two key players during the game which didn't help. We started well, got a good goal and we could have had a penalty but were found wanting a bit at the back.

"Howard is a good player but he needs to be marked, and that has cost us. We created chances and hit the woodwork but we were lacking at the back. We showed in our forward play that we can score at Derby but we need to tighten up at the back."