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The Danish defender had scored for only the fifth time in English football in the 29th minute, but McCormack earned his side a point with a 68 minute spot-kick after Joe Ledley had been fouled.
The result was about right although Cardiff will argue that a corner that led to Derby's goal should never have been given.
There was certainly a good case for awarding a foul by Emanuel Villa on Steve McPhail before the Argentinian won the corner.
Cardiff were still arguing about that when Arsenal's on-loan Dutch winger Nacer Barazite took the kick and Villa flicked the ball on to Albrechtsen, who was left unmarked eight yards out to score with a left-foot volley.
There was little else of note in the first half, but the second was again largely controlled by Cardiff without creating the chances their approach play merited.
Paul Parry had a shot deflected over and Jordan Stewart came dangerously close to putting the ball into his own net when he chased back in the 63rd minute.
But Derby were left exposed when Parry broke down the right and after McCormack played in Ledley, his legs were taken from behind by Miles Addison.
It was a clear penalty and McCormack sent Roy Carroll diving to his left before stroking the ball to his right to level.
Cardiff might have had another penalty when Eddie Johnson was challenged by Albrechtsen, but Derby threatened to grab a late winner when Nathan Ellington created the space for a left-foot shot, but he fired straight at Tom Heaton.