Turkey striker Tuncay scored his third goal in successive matches, with this latest clinical strike enough to inflict upon Derby a seventh straight defeat.

Tuncay swept home a side-foot volley from 15 yards in meeting a precision first-time cross from left-winger Stewart Downing in the 37th minute to give Boro a second victory in the space of a week.

This latest loss leaves the Rams rooted to the foot of the Barclays Premier League, and they are now six points adrift of the club immediately above them in Wigan, and eight off safety.

Tuncay's goal was a beacon of light in a game littered with mistakes and edgy from the outset given the importance of the occasion for both teams.

It was Southgate who ended up with a smile on his face and praise for Tuncay as he said : "He gives us incredible enthusiasm and energy.

"He took on an effort that two weeks ago he probably wouldn't have done because of his confidence.

"But after scoring two in two coming into this game he has now settled and he has a rapport with the fans who can see the effort he is putting in.

"His work ethic has been fantastic since he arrived. It's just that it took him a little while to find the back of the net.

"But we are now seeing the quality he has and with three goals in his last three games, they have been crucial for us because all of them have been goals that have won us points."

Southgate felt Boro just about deserved the victory, which was in stark contrast to their stunning 2-1 win at home to leaders Arsenal last weekend.

"We were more free-flowing against Arsenal, but this was a good away performance where we had to dig in," added Southgate.

"This was Paul Jewell's first home game in charge and his team had a point to prove, so it was of huge importance to them.

"When you are facing a team fighting for their lives then it is always going to be a tough afternoon, particularly with a new manager in charge.

"In the end it was a moment of real quality that has won it for us, with 1-0 a good result, a clinical result."

Derby are now one defeat shy of equalling a club record they have set on three previous occasions, leaving the club staring relegation firmly in the face.

Jewell could again not fault his players for their lack of effort, but like former boss Billy Davies before him he is now acutely aware of his side's lack of quality.

Derby's best chance of grabbing a point came within a minute of Tuncay's goal when Kenny Miller clipped the outside of a post with a shot on the turn from the edge of the area.

Other than that, it eventually proved to be another blank day for Derby, whose misery was compounded by the fact relegation rivals Wigan, Sunderland and Birmingham all picked up points.

"It's tough when you're at the bottom of the League," remarked Jewell.

"But in the three games since I have been here, and that's all I can judge the players on, they certainly have not lacked in effort.

"We are, though, lacking in quality in all areas, and that's not a slight on the players, that's a fact because the League table tells you that.

"We now need a remarkable up-turn in form over the second half of the season if we are going to get out of this, and hopefully we can get more players in to help those already here.

"So yes, while I am disappointed to lose at home and not score a goal, it's not as if I have all of a sudden realised we are not the best team in the world, I knew that before I got here."