Boro fell two goals behind in the first half at Pride Park after goals from strikers Lee Gregory and Colin Kazim-Richards.
The visitors did manage to pull a goal back before the break through Neeskens Kebano but weren’t able to build momentum after the interval.
Neil Warnock’s side have now gone five games without a win and slipped six points adrift of the Championship play-off places.
Boro will now hope to get back to winning ways when they host Huddersfield on Tuesday – but will have to manage without new signing Yannick Bolasie.
The winger missed the Derby match with a hamstring issue and is set to be sidelined for a while.
Our Boro writer Joe Nicholson has dished out his marks from the fixture – scroll down and flick through our gallery to see them:

9. Neeskens Kebano - 7
Boro’s brightest player and tried to take players on. Took his goal well. Faded a little in the second half. 7 Photo: Mark Thompson

10. Duncan Watmore - 4
Lost his man at the corner and was on the fringes for most of the match. 4 Photo: George Wood

11. Britt Assombalonga - 4
Flagged offside on multiple occasions and was ineffective up top. 4 Photo: Getty Images

12. Grant Hall - 6
(for Saville, 59) Slotted into defence and didn’t have much to do. A few loose passes on his return. 6 Photo: MFC


