Reda Johnson's late header snatched a point for Sheffield Wednesday as they marked their return to the Championship with a 2-2 draw at Derby.

Nathan Tyson slotted in the Rams' first from Jamie Ward's centre while Jake Buxton stooped low to head in a Paul Coutts cross to make it 2-0.

Against the run of play, Chris O'Grady fired into the top corner from the edge of the area to reduce the deficit.

O'Grady had a similar shot saved after the break before Johnson's leveller.

It was a real game of two halves with Derby dominating the opening 45 minutes and deservedly taking the lead after 11 minutes when Ward broke down the left and crossed for the unmarked Tyson to tuck the ball past Owls keeper Chris Kirkland.

Kirkland could do nothing to keep out Buxton's header but the former England stopper did manage to keep out another Tyson snapshot.

O'Grady's spectacular strike lifted the Owls before the break but they had to rely on Kirkland's agility after the restart as Derby threatened to restore their two-goal advantage - the keeper doing well to save low to his left after Ward's 25-yard free-kick took a deflection.

However, Wednesday bossed the second half with Jermaine Johnson blasting over while Rams keeper Frank Fielding tipped an O'Grady screamer over the bar.

Substitute Gary Madine, who had an earlier effort ruled out for offside, knocked the ball down for Johnson to head home with time running out and preserve Dave Jones's unbeaten record since taking over in March.

Derby manager Nigel Clough:

"They put us under a lot of pressure without creating too many chances but when we got to the 89th or 90th minute we thought we had done enough but one mistake again has cost us.

"We are pleased with the majority of the game and different facets of it and in the first half we played some great stuff.

"Their wonder goal gave them a massive lift - there's not much you can do when they fly in the top corner - but we defended well and put bodies in the way and generally we are happy with the performance."

Sheffield Wednesday manager Dave Jones:

"It's a learning curve for us and I think we were just finding out what it was all about but we know now.

"Once we got our foot on it and started to play we looked a different team and it was relentless in the second half.

"They were hanging on with everything they had and their keeper made two unbelievable saves."

Catch up with all the latest highlights from the Championship on the Football League Show

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Derby County

  • 01 Fielding
  • 02 Brayford
  • 03 Roberts
  • 05 Buxton Booked
  • 06 Keogh
  • 04 Bryson
  • 07 Coutts
  • 08 Hendrick
  • 19 Hughes (Gjokaj - 87' )
  • 09 Tyson (O'Connor - 74' )
  • 10 Ward (Robinson - 82' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Legzdins
  • 16 O'Connor
  • 21 Gjokaj
  • 12 Jacobs
  • 11 Robinson
  • 14 Doyle
  • 20 Bennett

Sheffield Wednesday

  • 01 Kirkland
  • 02 Buxton Booked
  • 03 R Johnson Booked
  • 04 Gardner (Beevers - 83' )
  • 32 Llera
  • 06 Semedo
  • 07 Antonio
  • 11 J Johnson
  • 16 McCabe
  • 12 O'Grady
  • 17 Pecnik (Madine - 56' )

Substitutes

  • 43 Bywater
  • 14 Mattock
  • 19 Beevers
  • 25 Prutton
  • 28 Coke
  • 09 Madine
  • 10 Maguire
Ref: Mathieson
Att: 27,437

Match Stats

Shots

6 7

On target

4 6

Corners

9 4

Fouls

7 14

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:56 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +4:24

Outswinging corner taken by Paul Coutts.

90:00 +3:57 Booking

Booking Reda Johnson goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

90:00 +3:43

Free kick awarded for a foul by Reda Johnson on John Brayford. Paul Coutts restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +2:42

Free kick awarded for a foul by Paul Coutts on Jermaine Johnson. Direct free kick taken by Chris Kirkland.

90:00 +1:09

Chris O'Grady takes a shot. Blocked by Chris Kirkland.

89:30

The assist for the goal came from Gary Madine.

89:30 Goal scored

Goal - Reda Johnson - Derby 2 - 2 Sheff Wed Reda Johnson scores a headed goal from deep inside the penalty box. Derby 2-2 Sheff Wed.

88:02

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Rhys McCabe.

86:25 Substitution

Substitution Valentin Gjokaj replaces Will Hughes.

85:51

The official flags Theo Robinson offside. Chris Kirkland takes the free kick.

85:32

The referee penalises Gary Madine for handball. Direct free kick taken by Paul Coutts.

82:20 Substitution

Substitution Mark Beevers replaces Anthony Gardner.

81:58 Substitution

Substitution Theo Robinson comes on in place of Jamie Ward.

80:37

Gary Madine handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Free kick taken by Frank Fielding.

80:12

Jamie Ward challenges Lewis Buxton unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jose Semedo takes the direct free kick.

76:46

Corner taken by Rhys McCabe from the right by-line, clearance by Paul Coutts.

73:07

Free kick taken by Frank Fielding.

73:07 Substitution

Substitution Nathan Tyson leaves the field to be replaced by James O'Connor.

73:07

Craig Bryson fouled by Michail Antonio, the ref awards a free kick.

72:12

Gareth Roberts fouled by Jose Semedo, the ref awards a free kick. Frank Fielding restarts play with the free kick.

70:21

The assistant referee signals for offside against Gary Madine. Frank Fielding takes the direct free kick.

66:57

Unfair challenge on John Brayford by Chris O'Grady results in a free kick. Frank Fielding takes the free kick.

65:09 Booking

Booking Booking for Jake Buxton for time wasting.

64:08

The referee blows for offside. Frank Fielding takes the free kick.

62:12

Rhys McCabe takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Nathan Tyson.

55:13 Substitution

Substitution Gary Madine comes on in place of Nejc Pecnik.

54:46

Will Hughes fouled by Rhys McCabe, the ref awards a free kick. Jeff Hendrick takes the free kick.

53:08

Jake Buxton challenges Miguel Llera unfairly and gives away a free kick. Chris Kirkland restarts play with the free kick.

52:24

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Paul Coutts from the right by-line.

51:31

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Paul Coutts, clearance made by Chris O'Grady.

50:10

Corner taken by Paul Coutts.

48:49

Nejc Pecnik concedes a free kick for a foul on Jeff Hendrick. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Ward.

47:21

Corner taken by Rhys McCabe.

47:01

Nejc Pecnik takes a shot. John Brayford gets a block in.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:00 +3:14 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

40:46

Jamie Ward produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target.

39:59

Paul Coutts takes a outswinging corner.

39:33

Corner taken left-footed by Will Hughes from the left by-line to the near post, Reda Johnson makes a clearance.

38:09

The assist for the goal came from Michail Antonio.

38:09 Goal scored

Goal - Chris O'Grady - Derby 2 - 1 Sheff Wed Chris O'Grady gets on the score sheet with a goal from just outside the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal. Derby 2-1 Sheff Wed.

36:54

Jamie Ward challenges Jose Semedo unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Chris Kirkland.

35:50

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jamie Ward by Anthony Gardner. Craig Bryson restarts play with the free kick.

33:20 Booking

Booking Booking for Lewis Buxton for unsporting behaviour.

33:06

Free kick awarded for a foul by Lewis Buxton on Craig Bryson. Free kick taken by Paul Coutts.

30:59

Nathan Tyson takes a shot. Blocked by Chris Kirkland.

30:23

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jose Semedo on Paul Coutts. Direct free kick taken by Paul Coutts.

29:11

Paul Coutts challenges Rhys McCabe unfairly and gives away a free kick. Anthony Gardner takes the direct free kick.

28:10

Michail Antonio concedes a free kick for a foul on Will Hughes. Frank Fielding takes the free kick.

26:56

Corner taken by Paul Coutts from the right by-line.

26:02

Assist on the goal came from Paul Coutts.

26:02 Goal scored

Goal - Jake Buxton - Derby 2 - 0 Sheff Wed Jake Buxton grabs a headed goal from inside the box. Derby 2-0 Sheff Wed.

25:05

Jamie Ward takes a shot. Save by Chris Kirkland.

22:56

Foul by Nathan Tyson on Rhys McCabe, free kick awarded. Chris Kirkland takes the direct free kick.

18:38

Chris O'Grady challenges Jeff Hendrick unfairly and gives away a free kick. Paul Coutts takes the direct free kick.

17:12

Outswinging corner taken by Paul Coutts from the right by-line played to the near post, Nathan Tyson has a headed effort from close in and clears the bar.

16:24

Craig Bryson concedes a free kick for a foul on Jose Semedo. Direct free kick taken by Miguel Llera.

14:44

Jamie Ward produces a cross, Anthony Gardner manages to make a clearance.

13:51

Michail Antonio takes a shot. Save by Frank Fielding.

12:51

Reda Johnson challenges Nathan Tyson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Paul Coutts restarts play with the free kick.

11:53

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jermaine Johnson on Craig Bryson. Richard Keogh takes the free kick.

10:29

Assist by Jamie Ward.

10:29 Goal scored

Goal - Nathan Tyson - Derby 1 - 0 Sheff Wed A goal is scored by Nathan Tyson from inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Derby 1-0 Sheff Wed.

9:34

Centre by Gareth Roberts, save by Chris Kirkland.

8:40

Michail Antonio crosses the ball.

7:27

The assistant referee flags for offside against Nejc Pecnik. Direct free kick taken by Jake Buxton.

6:04

The ball is delivered by Chris O'Grady.

5:10

Jermaine Johnson has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box which goes wide right of the target.

4:22

Centre by Richard Keogh.

3:49

Unfair challenge on Jamie Ward by Jose Semedo results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jeff Hendrick.

3:09

Corner taken short by Will Hughes.

2:44

John Brayford delivers the ball, Lewis Buxton manages to make a clearance.

1:17

Jermaine Johnson takes a shot. Save made by Frank Fielding.

0:00

The game begins.

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