The Reds remain on top of the Championship table and unbeaten under Stuart Pearce although all three points looked to be theirs when Britt Assombalonga scored the opening goal of a tight contest on 72 minutes.
Ryan Shotton levelled for the visitors 8 minutes later and they ended the game a man down when Jake Buxton was sent off.
"I think a draw was a fair result as I didn't think we did enough to win it," was Pearce's verdict afterwards while Steve McClaren felt that Derby 'would go on to win it' after their equaliser.
Pearce may be pleased that a fixture that comes with such high emotions has now been and gone without a damaging defeat and his side can concentrate on putting together a promotion push.
Struggling Fulham visit the City Ground on Wednesday evening.