Derby 0-0 Sunderland
Sunderland failed to register their first away win of the season thanks to a contentious offside decision which ruled out Michael Chopra's finish.
Andy Reid crossed low from the left for Chopra to sidefoot past Derby keeper Roy Carroll on 38 minutes but referee Mike Riley disallowed his effort.
Moments later Derby captain Alan Stubbs nearly backheeled into his own goal.
Derby battled hard with Kenny Miller lively but are still searching for their first win under Paul Jewell.
n charge for 13 games before Sunderland's visit to Pride Park, Jewell rang the changes as his side battles against recording the lowest ever Premier League points total.
Midfielder Mile Sterjovski started his first game since his recent move from Genclerbirligi, while Eddie Lewis, Marc Edworthy and Emanuel Villa were all recalled.
The changes appeared to have little effect defensively as Daryl Murphy brought down Nyron Nosworthy's long punt and crashed a curling shot against the stricken Roy Carroll's post on four minutes.
But Derby responded immediately.
After Kenny Miller was booked for hacking down Kenwyne Jones the Scotland striker cleverly spUn inside the box and turned a half-volley just wide.
With animated Sunderland boss Roy Keane cajoling his players from the sidelines, the end-to-end action increased as Derby passed the ball well while Murphy and Michael Chopra flashed headers past the post.
Kieron Richardson, returning after a long injury lay-off, wasted a free-kick on 32 minutes blasting high and wide but Sunderland had the ball in the goal moments later.
With Derby's defence static, Andy Reid cushioned a low cross across the box for Chopra to sidefoot neatly past Carroll from 12 yards but man in the middle Riley blew for offside - a marginal decision.
The Rams had another let-off just before half-time when Danny Higginbotham stretched to volley a cross into the box. Reid flicked it on and Derby skipper Alan Stubbs inadvertently back-heeled the ball inches past his own goal.
Sunderland came out stronger after the break and carved out more chances but Kenwyne Jones, in acres of space, proved wasteful when shooting weakly into Carroll's arms from just outside the box.
Jewell made a series of substitutions early in the second-half in an attempt to turn the tide but, aside from a goalmouth scramble involving Marc Edworthy and Miller, Derby were struggling to break into the opposition penalty area.
As the competitive spirit of the game escalated the quality dropped and numerous stoppages broke up the play with yellow cards handed to Chopra and Darren Moore.
Miller, lacking support up front, fired over on the half-volley from outside the box and Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon had to punch clear off his forehead from a deep cross.
Either side could have stolen a late winner as the game became more open in the final seconds and substitute Hossam Ghaly made a superb block to deny Danny Higginbotham.
But both sets of defenders stood resolute to earn a point for their respective sides.
Who would have seen that coming, with his right foot to. Then samaras popped up with another goal how come he did so badly at manc city he is speedy good in the air and with the ball at his feet, guess he never got the service down there.
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