Derby put a massive dent in Fulham's play-off hopes as they beat the Cottagers 4-2 at Pride Park.

Dave Nugent bagged himself a hat-trick, two coming from defensive howlers, while Floyd Ayite's strike had pulled the visitors level in the first half and they will be disappointed to have been beaten by such a scoreline.

Slavisa Jokanovic made three changes to his Fulham side as they faced Derby hoping to keep hold of their recently gained place in the Championship play-off places - recalling Lucas Piazon for the first time since he sustained a jaw injury against Cardiff.

Derby took the lead in the eight minute when the ball was dropped into Nugent over the head of the centre backs who made no mistake about lobbing David Button as he rushed out of goal.

Scott Malone was causing problems down the left, as was Ryan Fredericks on the right and Fulham nearly got back on level terms when Malone received the ball in behind the defence, but his opted to strike at goal instead of cross to Sone Aluko, forcing an easy save out of Scott Carson.

But the visitors did equalise when Fredericks outpaced Macrus Olsson down the right before fizzes in the ball, which was half cleared to Ayite who took a touch and smashed it past Carson and into the bottom of the right hand corner.

But Derby were handed an opportunity to get back into the lead when they were awarded a penalty, but Button denied Nugent before he stuck the ball away from the resulting corner to give Derby the lead once again.

Aluko nearly dragged Fulham level in additional time when he was found eight yards out from goal, but his strike was smashed against the bar with Carson beaten.

Nugent got his hat-trick when a defensive error from Ream and Button and allowed him to tap home into an empty net before Button's poor clearance in the 68th minute went straight to Johnny Russell who smashed the ball low and hard to make it 4-1.

But Derby got their third when Tim Ream was caught in possession at the back by Nugent, who won a challenge with Button before brushing aside Tomas Kalas to stick the ball into an empty net.

Ayite got his second of the game on the counter after Button had made a good save to set up the attack but it was too little too late for the visitors who will be disappointed to have lost the game in this fashion.

Button 5: Made a wonderful save from Nugent's penalty and will be annoyed to have conceded from the resulting corner. His challenge wasn't strong enough to deny Nugent his third but he made a few good saves. His poor clearance to Russell lead directly to the home side's fourth goal.

Fredericks 7: Put in a stunning ball for Ayite's goal and was a constant problem for Olsson down the right wing.

Malone 7: Like Fredericks he was a problem as he marauded down the left wing with his crosses causing problems to the back four of Derby, but there wasn't any one on the end of them

McDonald 6: Gave the ball away in midfield a few too many times as Fulham were building their attacks

Cairney 6: Another quiet game from the star man as he struggled to make an impact in the midfield after Rowett had done his homework and ensured his players shut down any space as soon as he had the ball.

Ayite 8: Caused several problems down the left in the first half and scored a wonderful goal to put Fulham level, while also getting their second. Was the standout player in an otherwise poor performance from Fulham.

Ream 5: Was caught in possession for Derby's third when he turned back to goal on the half way line and looked shaky in the lead up to Derby's second. Should've been sent off for his tug back on Nugent early in the second half but was lucky the referee didn't see.

Johansen 6: Didn't have too much of an impact of the game as Fulham struggled to break Derby down in the second half and he was replaced by Gohi Cyiac with seven minutes left.

Piazon 6: His jaw injury didn't seem to stop him from going into some heavy challenges but apart from that it was a quiet game from the loanee who didn't look 100%.

Aluko 6: Hit the bar from eight yards out when the score was 2-1 but didn't really have much to cheer about all night.

Kalas 6 : Not the best of games from Kalas as he and Ream struggled to deal with the counter attack all night.

Subs:

Kebano 6: Was sent on at 4-1 down with 15 minutes to play and helped set up the second goal.

Sessegnon N/A: Did a nice turn to beat Baird down the right but, like Cyriac, wasn't on long enough.

Cyriac N/A: Very little time to have any impact on the game.