Although it was Leeds who were beginning to stamp their class on the game, it was Derby who looked the most likely to score and they had two great chances in quick succession midway through the first half.
Georgiou Kinkladze's second half strike cancelled out Ian Harte's superb free-kick as Leeds and Derby shared the spoils at Pride Park.
The Rams' are still chasing their first Premiership win having conceded 15 goals in seven matches, but must be the happier of the two sides after Horacio Carbonari was dismissed late on in the first half.
Perhaps the biggest shock of the afternoon was the return to action of Lucas Radebe.
The Leeds' skipper suffered a horrific neck injury in Barcelona earlier this month and replaced Danny Mills in United's back four.
But as they began to find their way through the Pride Park mist, Lee Bowyer gathered the ball on the edge of the area before feeding Smith.
Squad
However, the youngster - who will have half an eye on the next England squad after his late call-up for the France match - pulled his shot just wide of the upright.
Although it was Leeds who were beginning to stamp their class on the game, it was Derby who looked the most likely to score and they had two great chances in quick succession midway through the first half.
First Christie flicked the ball on for Deon Burton who cracked a volley on the turn which flew agonisingly wide of Nigel Martyn's goal.
However, Harte more than made amends for his defensive blunder with a sensational goal in the 34th minute.
Cross
The hosts' conceded a free-kick on the right wing and prepared for Harte to lift one of his curling crosses into the box. However, the Republic of Ireland international had other ideas and sent a fizzing left foot shot soaring into the top corner of Mart Poom's net.
And Leeds could have had a second minutes later, when Harte sent another piledriver goalwards but this time the Derby wall deflected the ball wide.
Jim Smith's side added another page to their catalogue of woes when their Argentine defender Carbonari was sent off for the second consecutive match for a foul on Michael Bridges.
Bitter
It was a bitter blow for the home side who looked lively in attack, with Burton and Christie linking umbilically as they went in search of the equaliser.
Leeds then encountered their own defensive problems as Michael Duberry was stretchered off after suffering an horrific injury in a crunching challenge to his Achilles tendon.
As the second half got underway, Derby showed real character to fight their way back into the match and Burton was inches away from putting the Rams on level terms.
The Jamaican international cut in from the left before sending a rasping drive which Martyn touched onto the post.
Indeed, Derby's quest for that elusive goal was the story of the second half. And it finally came after a stroke of genius from substitute Kinkladze and manager Jim Smith.
Smith, who was become increasingly frustrated with his side's inability to find the net, threw on his Georgian trump card and was instantly rewarded with a goal fifteen minutes from time.
Kinkladze picked up the ball on the left of the area, before nutmegging Harte and bending the ball around Martyn.
It was more than Derby deserved and although Bridges had a chance to restore Leeds' advantage after he jinked his way into the box,neither camp can complain with a point - although Derby have still to record a victory in the Premiership this season.
Derby: Poom, Carbonari, Schnoor, Burley, Burton, Christie, Higginbotham, Eranio, Bragstad, Valakari, Johnson. Subs: Sturridge, Kinkladze, Jackson, Riggott, L. Grant.
Leeds: Martyn, Kelly, Harte, Dacourt, Radebe, Bridges, Bowyer, Smith, Bakke, Duberry, Matteo. Subs: Huckerby, Robinson, McPhail, Mills, Jones.
Referee: B Knight (Orpington).
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Official Derby website |
Official Leeds United website |
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