Paul Green grabbed a fine second-half equaliser to earn Derby their first point of the season at Bristol City.
However, City will feel aggrieved at not seeing out the win after dominating much of the game, especially after Nicky Maynard tapped in the opener.
Bradley Orr came close to a second but, against the run of play, Green spun and drilled in the equaliser on 52 minutes.
Orr went close again, while Louis Carey headed over when well placed, but City could not force the victory.
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson:
"I'm disappointed with only a point because we dominated the first half and then failed to get anywhere near that standard in the second.
"The first 20 minutes after the interval were very poor from our point of view and in the end I suppose it was a fair result.
"But it's not gloom and doom. To be disappointed at drawing with Derby shows how far we have come."
Derby manager Paul Jewell:
"I can't repeat what I said at half-time. I lost my rag because we were losing battles all over the pitch.
"I told the lads if a manager had said the same to me during my playing career, I would have done everything possible in the second half to ram the words down his throat.
"You could see the difference straightaway. We showed the fight and spirit that has been sadly lacking for the last eight months or so."
Bristol City: Weale, Orr, Carey, McCombe (Wilson 15), McAllister, Williams (Sproule 74), Skuse, Johnson, McIndoe, Maynard, Adebola (Brooker 63).
Subs Not Used: Basso, Trundle.
Goals: Maynard 23.
Derby: Carroll, Mears, Albrechtsen, Davis, McEveley, Pereplotkins (Davies 46), Green, Savage, Commons, Hulse, Ellington (Villa 83).
Subs Not Used: Bywater, Kazmierczak, Leacock.
Booked: Green.
Goals: Green 52.
Att: 16,389
Ref: Stuart Attwell (England). Make your Championship predictions
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