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Hartson struck with his fourth goal of the season, and his first in open play since his double against Hull City on the opening day of the campaign, with just one minute remaining.
It could not have been better timed for Mowbray who has endured a baptism of fire since taking charge in October.
He had taken just seven points from his previous eight games and looked to face more frustration before former Celtic striker Hartson latched on to a long throughball.
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The feeling of relief among the Albion fans was clear - especially after Kevin Phillips had earlier come up with a contender for miss of the season when he somehow failed to convert a Martin Albrechtsen cross from just two yards in the 75th minute.
Albion had created a host of first-half chances but were undone by poor finishing from Phillips, Diomansy Kamara, Robinson and Paul McShane and the Derby goalkeeper Stephen Bywater who overcame a sticky start to star for the Rams.
Derby struggled to show the form that had seen them win their six previous games and they only really sparkled in a four-minute spell at the start of the second half.
They were fortunate to get to half-time on level terms and they should really have taken full advantage of that let-off at the start of the second period only to be let down themselves in front of goal.
On-loan Arsenal striker Arturo Lupoli somehow fired over the bar from six yards in the 55th minute after a Jon Stead cross before Giles Barnes flashed a shot wide moments later.
They were to be costly misses and Derby were given a sign what was to come when Bywater tipped a Kamara shot on to the bar in the 61st minute.
But they must have thought they had successfully ridden their luck when Phillips, who has not scored since his hat-trick at Ipswich Town on October 14 came up with his amazing miss.
Albion were not to be denied however and Hartson showed his team-mates the way to goal with a powerful piece of finishing.