Derby County collected a very welcome point on their travels with a goalless draw at East Midlands rivals Leicester City this afternoon.

In a game of few chances Kris Commons came closest for the Rams in the second half when his long-range drive crashed back off the crossbar.

Stephen Bywater made a fine save in a first period that largely belonged to Leicester to deny their leading goalscorer Matt Fryatt, but he was otherwise untroubled as the Rams backline put in a fine shift to ensure they left the Walkers Stadium their second away point of the campaign.

The Rams were given a major fitness boost going into the a game with defensive duo Shaun Barker and Dean Leacock - along with Commons - all back in the starting XI after overcoming injuries as Manager Nigel Clough made two changes from that eleven that started in the comprehensive 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday a fortnight ago.

Leacock was restored to the side at the expense of Jay McEveley, while Commons came in for Paul Dickov who was unable to play against his parent club under the terms of the loan agreement that brought him to Pride Park from the Walkers Stadium in August.

On the bench was youngster Greg Mills, who was recalled from his loan period at Blue Square North Solihull Moors yesterday after scoring an impressive four goals in just four games - as well as Paul Connolly after being sidelined with a foot injury for the last month.

The Foxes handed starts to ex-Rams Steve Howard and Matt Oakley against their former club, and both were given a warm reception by the 3,000 travelling Derby supporters for their contribution to the club - particularly during the promotion campaign of 2006/07.

Derby kicked off before an almost-capacity crowd in their black away strip still searching for their first away success of the campaign in all competitions, but it was the home side that came out of the traps quickly.

It took them less than a minute to try their luck at goal but Howard headed way over from Fryatt's centre from the left.

Derby mounted their first attack on four minutes and Commons almost marked his return to action with a goal but his stinging 30-yard drive was straight down the throat of Chris Weale in the City goal..

At the other end Bywater was called into action to make a fine save in the tenth minute to keep out City's leading goalscorer Fryatt. A ball over the top sent the former Walsall striker scampering towards goal but the goalkeeper stood tall and made a superb block from the striker's left-foot shot before diving on the loose ball.

Fryatt's glancing header on fifteen minutes from Dyer's fine run and cross drifted way over as Derby restricted the home sides' chances to a minimum in a feisty start to proceedings with both sides fully committed in every tackle and challenge.

Leicester found themselves enjoying a strong spell of pressure at the half-way point of the first period, but Bywater remained relatively untested in the Derby goal other than claiming a number of high crosses.

Andy King came close on thirty-three minutes with a curling shot from twenty-five yards which had Bywater diving at full length to his left, but the ball whistled just over the crossbar.

The pressure continued from the home side, but the Derby defence were always looking strong, confidence and assured and were not allowing the home side to create any clear-cut - while ex-Leicester midfielder Savage was protecting the back four well in the holding midfield role.

The Rams ended the half by enjoying a spell of their own pressure, but they weren't able to force Weale into any action.

It took ten minutes for the first opportunity of the second period to be carved out and when it did come it fell to Leicester, but Dyer's low shot was superbly blocked by Stoor six yards out.

A moment of Commons magic almost broke the deadlock on the hour, but after cutting inside onto his left foot his powerful shot from twenty yards crashed off the top of the crossbar and behind for a goal kick with Weale well beaten.

Ex-Leicester loanee Lee Hendrire was introduced into the action around the half, replacing Lee Croft in midfield.

Rob Hulse went down under a challenge from Brown inside the City box on sixty-two minutes in what looked a certain penalty for Derby, but Referee Mr Dean waved away the appeals. Hulse made the point to the official that he should have been booked if he believed the striker had dived in an attempt to win a penalty, but no card was issued leaving the Rams bemused.

A mazy run by Dyer into the Derby area had hearts in mouths with twenty-five to go, but the winger blasted well wide in a rare Leicester chance.

Derby had another good shout for a penalty with twenty minutes left when Hulse, again, looked to be barged over when contesting to get on the end of Teale's cross, but once more his appeals were waved away.

It was Derby enjoying the better of the game at this stage, looking confident on the ball and getting forwards well. They were asking questions of the Leicester defence, who were not looking comfortable containing Hulse and Commons.

Derby's injury curse struck once more with fifteen minutes to go as Stoor had to be replaced with an ankle problem, with fit-again Connolly coming on in his place at right-back.

Barker was on hand to make a superb block from Howard in the final ten minutes, throwing his body in the way of the ex-Rams powerful drive towards goal which would have called Bywater into action had he not been in the way.

Hendrie had to be withdrawn due to yet another injury for the Rams with five minutes to go, and McEveley came on in his place.

Derby looked the most likely to get the winner and pumped a number of balls into the City box, but both Brown and Hobbs at the heart of the defence came to rescue with clearances.

Four minutes of injury time were added by the officials and Commons had a golden chance to score a dramatic winner but when clear on goal Hobbs got back to make a superb challenge just as the Scotland international was about to pull the trigger.

A free-kick for a foul on Hulse on the eighteen-yard line saw Savage fire at goal, but Brown threw his head in the way and the ball deflected straight into Weale's hands off the head of Hulse in a lively end to the game that saw all connected with Derby County holding their head in their hands wondering what might have been.

Nigel Clough's men are back on the road on Tuesday evening, as they make the long journey to Middlesbrough and they will certainly be buoyed by today's result. Results away from home haven't been what Derby wanted this season, but this was certainly a confidence boosting result to make the Rams believe they can be just as successful away from home as they are at Pride Park.Leicester City: Weale, Morrison, Brown, Oakley, Howard, King, Dyer (Kermorgant 79), Fryatt (Waghorn 67), Berner, Wellens, Hobbs
Not Used: McGivern, Logan, Adams, Campbell, Gallagher
Booked: Howard

Derby County: Bywater, Stoor (Connolly 76), Moxey, Leacock, Barker, Croft (Hendrie 60 - McEveley 85), Livermore, Savage, Teale, Commons, Hulse
Not Used: Deeney, Buxton, Mills

Referee: Mr M Dean

Attendance: 28,875 (3,307 Derby County Supporters)