Derby County 1 Coventry City 1

Derby's advance towards the Premiership hit another stumbling block when they were frustrated by a determined Coventry side that deservedly took a point from an entertaining encounter at Pride Park.

The Championship leaders had to come from a goal down and both teams could reflect on what might have been as there were chances to win the game at both ends.

Leon McKenzie punished an error by Tyrone Mears to put Coventry in front, but Matt Oakley conjured an athletic volley to earn his side what could prove to be a priceless point.

Tyrone Mears error lets in Coventry to open the scoring

Coventry had lost at home to QPR on Saturday but they responded to manager Iain Dowie's demand for an improved performance with a display of character and commitment.

Derby were never allowed to build up any momentum as Coventry closed down quickly in midfield while the defence was solid after an uncertain start.

Adam Virgo was booked in the tenth minute for a reckless lunge on Arturo Lupoli, but after that Coventry played with composure at the back and the home side were limited to half-chances.

Andy Marshall had to push a David Jones corner behind in the 36th minute, but it was Coventry that almost went in front when McKenzie dispossessed Jay McEveley and crossed to the back post where Jay Tabb was denied by Stephen Bywater.

Marshall then produced an even better save to keep out a Darren Moore header but Coventry continued to give as good as they got after the break.

The Rams were becoming increasingly frustrated and, in the 73rd minute, McKenzie robbed Mears and side-stepped Bywater before rolling the ball inside the left-hand post as Marc Edworthy slid in.

McKenzie was injured in the process of scoring and played no further part in the game which took another turn when Oakley gave Derby parity.

Rams Captain Matt Oakley comes to the Rams rescue with a spectactular equaliser

Giles Barnes swung the ball to the back post where Steve Howard headed across the face of Coventry's goal and Oakley beat Marshall with an acrobatic back heel.

But if Derby thought that would give them the impetus to go on and win the game, they were mistaken as Coventry re-grouped.

Although Barnes flashed a shot narrowly wide, it was the visitors that almost won it in the second minute of stoppage time when Michael Mifsud broke away down the Derby right but his shot was just too close to Bywater who held on at full stretch to his left.