Late goals from Martin Albrechtsen and substitute Emanuel Villa gave the Rams their first away victory in the league since March 2007.

Jewell said: "We're getting better and you could see that today. I thought we dominated the game from start to finish.

"Last season took its toll on everybody and the cloud of relegation from the Premiership hung over us for a long time. We didn't have confidence and the only way you can get it back is by winning games.

"Our supporters have been brilliant. They've travelled the length and breadth of the country and seen us get beaten - sometimes well beaten - but today they've finally seen us win."

Derby broke the deadlock when Nacer Barazite's 80th-minute corner dropped to Albrechtsen near the edge of the penalty area and the Dane steadied himself before firing past goalkeeper Radek Cerny.

Earlier, QPR striker Dexter Blackstock turned Martin Rowlands' left-wing cross onto the post and Derby midfielder Miles Addison's 30-yard drive struck the top of the bar.

Albrechtsen's goal stunned Rangers and they conceded from another corner with a minute remaining, when Cerny was caught out by Steve Davies' delivery and Villa headed in his first goal of the season.

Jewell added: "We're still in our infancy. There's still a long way to go, but it's a start. The most important thing is that we become difficult to beat.

"After relegation last season, it's important we consolidate. I don't think after four games unbeaten it's for me to say that we'll have a promotion campaign.

"We're still well behind where we want to be, but we're getting there. Hopefully now we get can get better as the season goes on."

QPR's defeat brought the London side crashing back down to earth following their midweek victory at Aston Villa in the Carling Cup.

R's boss Iain Dowie admitted: "The contrast was clear, we won lots of second balls and passed the ball well on Wednesday night, but this time we didn't.

"I'll have a look at the stats and I bet, in terms of unforced errors, there will be a huge amount and that's why we couldn't get up a head of steam.

"We had two defensive lapses and conceded goals from set-pieces, which is galling. But we've got an opportunity to bounce back against Blackpool on Tuesday night and we must do that.

"When we did pass the ball well we created the best chance of the game and had that gone in, the game could have been different.

"This result hasn't changed the way I feel. I still believe we've got a good bunch of lads here and they can bounce back.

"Sometimes you just have to take things on the chin. Derby beat us today, so good luck to them."

Socceroos Ruben Zadkovich and Mile Sterjowski didn't feature in the game. Zadkovich is still recovering from injury while Sterjowski appears to be out of favour at the club.