First-half strikes from Beth Lumsden and Paige Bailey-Gayle were enough to secure the three points despite Eleanor Ashton's late penalty.

United put on a professional display in-front of 1,964 fans at Kingston Park to extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points with just seven games left to play.

It was a blistering start for United with Lumsden getting her first goal for the club after just seven minutes. The winger was picked out fantastically by Emma Kelly's long pass and made no mistake, taking two touches before sliding the ball past the onrushing Anna Draper.

Twenty minutes later, a huge mistake at the back by the Derby keeper saw Tyler Dodds force her into surrendering the ball in her own penalty area. United's Bailey-Gayle was on hand just outside the six-yard box to tap home into an empty net for her fourth goal in black and white.

After a rather slow start to the second-half, Katie Barker was unleashed down the right by an excellent Charlotte Potts through ball.

Newcastle's number nine was bearing down on goal right on the hour mark, but unselfishly squared it to Bailey-Gayle, who could only send a looping effort over the top.

Lumsden was left punching the ground moments later when she was picked out by Hannah Greenwood but saw her first-time volley sail marginally over the crossbar.

While United were in total control, Derby were posing a threat on the counter-attack as Barker was robbed of possession in her own half, allowing the Rams to break. After a bit of pinball, the ball fell to Marli Rhodes-Andrews, whose strike forced Grace Donnelly into an acrobatic save as she turned the ball round the post.

As the game entered the final five minutes Derby dragged themselves back into the affair when they were awarded a penalty after Kelly was adjudged to have handled in the box. Ashton picked the ball up and confidently found the side netting, which set up a tight end to the match.

Derby were buoyed by the penalty conversion, registering two shots in second-half added time with Donnelly parrying Rebecca May's long-range free-kick out for a corner.

The resulting set-piece found its way to Kira Rai at the back post, but she could only head over from close range, which saw a sigh of relief ring out around Kingston Park.

Becky Langley's side managed to hold out for all three points and stretched their lead at the top of the table with only a handful of games left as they search for back-to-back promotions.

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly (c), Lia Cataldo, Charlotte Potts, Olivia Watt (Tyler Dodds 18), Katie Barker (Cara Milne-Redhead 90), Hannah Greenwood, Georgia Gibson, Jasmine McQuade (Bridget Galloway 61), Emma Kelly, Beth Lumsden, Paige Bailey-Gayle (Nicki Gears 80)

Sub not used: Anna Soulsby

Report by Aaron Hindhaugh