Dwight Gayle scored his second goal for Derby as the striker boosted the Rams’ drive for a Sky Bet League One automatic promotion place in a 3-0 win at Bristol Rovers.

The former Newcastle forward opened the scoring in the 55th minute before Tom Barkhuizen added a quick second three minutes later.

Martyn Waghorn wrapped up the three points late on, which saw them climb up to second in the table.

A poor clearance from Lewis Gordon fell to Barkhuizen, who swept against the crossbar, with 34-year-old Gayle reacting quickest to prod in from inches out as the ball bounced on the goal-line.

Derby doubled their lead when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing broke forward and played the ball across for Barkhuizen to put a powerful first-time strike into the top corner.

Antony Evans curled just over the bar with 25 minutes left to play and Eiran Cashin had to clear off the line as Scott Sinclair advanced on goal with Rovers pushing to come back into the game.

But the Rams stood firm, sealing the victory with a minute to play as substitute Waghorn tapped in Korey Smith’s low cross.