Derby County collected a welcome point on their travels with a goalless draw at Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon.

After losing their last three matches on the road the Rams stopped the rot with a hardworking display at Hillsborough.

Stephen Bywater shook off the back problem that forced him to miss the games with Doncaster and Middlesbrough, replacing David Martin between the posts while Chris Porter was rewarded for his goal in midweek with a start alongside Rob Hulse, with Robbie Savage reverting to the bench.

Inside the first minute Bywater and his back were put to the test as Tudgay got in behind the Rams defence to create an opening for Tommy Miller, but the goalkeeper stood tall and blocked Miller's goalbound effort from 12 yards out.

Immediately down the other end Derby launched their first attack, but Porter's effort from a Tonge corner was superbly tipped over the bar by former Ram Lee Grant.

The opening stages saw the game stretch from end-to-end as both sides signalled their intent to attack from the off and not hold back.

A delightful cross by McEveley on 15 minutes picked out Porter inside the area, but he prodded the ball wide as Derby continued their lively start.

Bywater was forced into another good stop just before the half-hour mark, turning away Soares' powerful long-range shot for a corner.

From that point, Derby took control for the remainder of the half.

Tonge tried his luck with a 30-yard free-kick ten minutes before the break, but Grant easily turned away the shot for a corner.

Hulse then had two chances to put one over the rivals of his former club Sheffield United, he shot wide from a narrow angle and was also denied by Grant who turned his header over the crossbar.

Despite that late pressure towards the end of the half, Derby went in level at the interval.

The early part of the second half was lacking in chances, with Wednesday clearly fired up at the break by manager Alan Irvine and Derby weren't able to enjoy the pressure they had enjoyed towards the end of the first period.

Tonge was perfectly placed to foil Wednesday on 68 minutes when Beever's looping header got the better of Bywater, but the former Sheffield United midfielder headed off his own goalline to keep the game scoreless.

With a loud home crowd behind them Wednesday tried to force the issue and after a mix-up between Bywater and Anderson substitute Jeffers almost had an open goal to shoot at but Barker made a fine last-gasp challenge.

Savage came off the bench with 12 minutes left in place of the hardworking Gilles Sunu, who put in another hardworking display out wide and Leacock replaced Hunt soon afterwards.

Chances were restricted, so Derby had to hold out and be content with a point...a welcome one at that.