JAMIE Ward’s second-half strike ruined Matt Ritchie’s long-awaited return as Derby County claimed a 1-0 win at Dean Court this afternoon.

And in a worrying finale for Cherries, star defender Steve Cook was carried off on a stretcher with a leg injury, the extent of which has yet to be confirmed.

Rams wide man Ward had earlier forced a close-range drive past Lee Camp in the 61st minute to settle the Championship clash in front of a sell-out crowd.

Cherries striker Tokelo Rantie was denied by Lee Grant in an opening half which also saw Camp produce routine saves from Ward and Simon Dawkins.

But Ward’s goal put the Rams in charge after the break and despite the introduction of Ryan Fraser and Ritchie, who made his first appearance of the season, providing added impetus for the hosts, there was no way back against the in-form visitors.

To make matters worse, Cook was stretchered off deep into stoppage time following lengthy on-field treatment.

Cherries suffered a double setback ahead of the game with key men Elliott Ward and Harry Arter both ruled out due to calf problems. Club captain Tommy Elphick and Shaun MacDonald were promoted from the bench as Eddie Howe made two enforced changes following the draw at Burnley prior to the international break.

Visitors Derby, under the management of ex-England boss Steve McClaren, replaced injured Kalifa Cisse (toe) with John Eustace.

The Rams, leading goalscorers in the Championship going into the game, fired an early signal of their intent when Dawkins fired over with an ambitious 25-yard effort.

In an enterprising yet largely uneventful start from both teams, the bright Eunan O’Kane and Brett Pitman both just failed to pick out the runs of Rantie after finding space deep in enemy territory.

Derby were quick to commit men forward when on the front foot and they also looked swift on the counter. From one such break, Ward forced a routine save from Camp after Will Hughes’s precision pass had sent the livewire wide man scampering clear on the right.

Rantie, who helped South Africa to a memorable victory over Spain in midweek, had been kept quiet until he exploded into the action by almost netting an opener on 18 minutes. Released by Lewis Grabban’s accurate ball, Rantie easily skipped past Jake Buxton to race towards the byline before cutting back inside Buxton. With only the keeper to beat, Rantie was denied as Derby number one Lee Grant desperately blocked at his near post.

Former Chesterfield frontman Ward was proving a constant threat and Derby-born former Rams stopper Camp again had to be alert to hold on to his fierce low drive on 28 minutes.

Buxton received a yellow card after halting Rantie as Cherries’ record signing looked to break clear.

Rams keeper Grant gave the bumper travelling support a couple of nervy moments when he flapped at two inswinging Charlie Daniels set-pieces.

At the other end, Cook, recently linked with a move to the Premier League, twice threw himself in front of Chris Martin efforts before Camp tipped over a ferocious Dawkins drive as the half neared its conclusion.

Derby skipper Richard Keogh ensured parity at the break when he produced a tremendous block as MacDonald launched himself at a loose ball after the Rams had failed to clear a teasing Grabban cross.

As Cherries looked to assert themselves on the resumption, Pitman was unable to hit the target with a half-chance from Grabban’s cross.

Ward saw his free-kick held by Camp before the Derby dangerman was rewarded for his impressive display by putting the Rams in the driving seat. Ward was perfectly placed to force home Craig Forsyth’s low cross, his finish having enough power to beat Camp, despite the Cherries keeper getting a hand to the ball.

Cherries boss Howe acted by introducing wingers Fraser and Ritchie, the latter making a welcome return following a long-term thigh problem.

Ritchie was heavily involved from the right flank, with Grabban switching to his usual central role, where he was joined by Wes Thomas who replaced Pitman.

Howe’s substitutions almost paid dividends when Thomas stormed in behind the Derby backline, his cross headed agonisingly wide by Fraser at the far post.

Camp produced an exceptional save to deny Derby sub Mason Bennett as Cherries were nearly caught on the counter.

Fraser and Ritchie gave Cherries more of a threat but McClaren’s men demonstrated their composure to see out time and boost their play-off chances.

Cherries: (4-4-1-1) Camp; Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels; Grabban, O’Kane, MacDonald, Pugh (Fraser, 63); Pitman (Thomas, 75); Rantie (Ritchie, 64).

Unused subs: Harte, Addison, Surman, Flahavan (g/k).

Booked: Francis, Cook

Derby: (4-1-4-1) Grant; Wisdom, Buxton, Keogh, Forsyth; Eustace; Ward (Russell, 80), Hughes, Bryson, Dawkins (Bennett, 75); Martin (Sammon, 88).

Unused subs: Smith, Davies, Ball, Morch (g/k).

Booked: Buxton, Hughes

Referee: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire)

Attendance: 10,720 (including 1,391 away supporters)