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On-loan Everton midfielder Leon Osman livened up a lacklustre relegation battle by giving Derby a 37th-minute lead at Pride Park.
With both teams in the bottom three this game was always likely to have a huge bearing on their fortunes for the rest of the season and defeat for the Bantams would make their plight look almost impossible.
The first meaningful action came when Bradford's Nicky Summerbee was booked after just two minutes for a foul on Osman but at least the visitors also got in the opening shot at goal, a Michael Branch effort that was blocked.
It was a tight, cagey affair in the early stages with both sides understandably looking as though their main priority was not to lose and that manifested itself in a lack of scoring opportunities.
By the time Derby posed a threat 18 minutes had elapsed and Paul Peschisolido, who has made a real impact since his move from Sheffield United, almost worked the oracle again but hit the woodwork with a left-foot strike.
The Rams made a substitution to try and shake off the lethargy, Adam Bolder going on for Candido Costa, and within two minutes they were ahead as Osman curled home a left-foot shot.
There was no response to falling behind from Bryan Robson's men and Derby could have extended their advantage in the dying moments of the half as Peschisolido forced Alan Combe to parry his right-foot volley and the goalkeeper then did even better to hold a Marcus Tudgay header.
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