Derby travelled to the Goldsands Stadium behind Bournemouth only on goal difference, though they often found themselves playing catch-up on the day, as Matt Ritchie put the hosts ahead after 12 minutes.
Tom Ince, a January loan signing from Hull City, scored his third goal in two games to level things up with a fine effort after half-an-hour, before Callum Wilson restored Bournemouth's lead on the stroke of half-time.
Middlesbrough took advantage of that draw to leap above both teams and go top of the table with 59 points, though Aitor Karanka's men were forced to do it the hard way.
Ipswich Town remain just ahead of Watford in fourth-place thanks to a 2-1 win at home to Sheffield Wednesday, while their East Anglian rivals Norwich City closed to within two points of the play-offs after a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Charlton Athletic – Cameron Jerome netting an 83rd-minute winner.
Birmingham City's winless run was stretched to five after a 1-0 loss at home to Millwall, with Leeds United also winning away from home, emerging 2-0 victors at Reading.
Cardiff City and Brighton and Hove Albion played out the day's only goalless encounter, while Blackburn Rovers defeated Rotherham United 2-1 at Ewood Park.
