A late equaliser from Derby County winger Johnny Russell earned his side a point in their 1-1 draw against promotion rivals Middlesbrough. 

Russell scored the equaliser for Derby
Russell scored the equaliser for Derby

Derby made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 against Charlton Athletic on Saturday with experienced left back Stephen Warnock replacing Craig Forysth, as well as summer signing Andreas Weimann coming into the starting 11 replacing Johnny Russell.

Boro made just the one change to the side that defeated Bolton Wanderers 3-0 at the weekend with England under 21 international Ben Gibson coming into the side replacing Emilio Nsue who dropped to the bench.

The game began at a surprisingly slow pace until the Rams created the first opportunity of the night after their midfield worked hard to create the chance for Tom Ince to set up Jeff Hendrick, who fired a shot at the visiting 'keeper Dimi Konstantopoulous, saving well to his right.

The iPro faithful began to make some noise after the first opportunity of the night but were soon silenced in the 16th minute. George Friend attacked the left side before his shot took a deflection, fortuitously falling into the path of Kike who finished emphatically from seven yards to give Aitor Karanka's side the lead.

The visitors then had their tails up going close on two occasions in the space of a couple of minutes with Kike coming close to grabbing another after nodding wide from a delightful Stewart Downing cross. Soon after, the dangerous Albert Adomah went striding down the flank before firing a shot that deflected away for a corner.

The Rams then went close through Chris Martin only to be denied by Jamie Gibson's brave block. Rams boss Paul Clement was then forced into two changes with youngster Jamie Hanson and Jeff Hendrick after both picking up knocks. They were replaced by Ryan Shotton and Johnny Russell.

On the brink of half time, Tom Ince came agonisingly close through a free-kick which was superbly stopped by the visiting keeper.

As the second half began the Rams applied the pressure to a very resolute and organised Middlesbrough unit with Boro defender Ben Gibson making some crucial interceptions to deny numerous goal scoring opportunities. However, the pace and skill in Boro's attacking front line meant they were very dangerous on the counter attack. After dealing with a Derby attack, Daniel Ayala brought the ball forward before setting Albert Adomah off on a run towards goal. The Ghanaian played a measured through ball to Kike who brought out a fine stop from the Rams custodian, Scott Carson.

As the home side heaped on the pressure by retaining possession, Eitor Karanka made a couple of changes to his side by bringing on Adam Reach for Diego Fabbrini and Christian Stuani who replaced the goalscorer, Kike. In the 82nd minute, Derby came so close to equalising after Chris Martin rose to meet the ball from a Johnny Russell corner but was denied by Konstantopolous after getting down smartly to save.

Paul Clement then saw his side breakthrough the Boro defence on 88 minutes. Despite dominating possession and playing entertaining passing football throughout the match, the Rams sent a long ball into the box. Ayala jumped to head away but the substitute Johnny Russell pounced on the loose ball and fired it past the goalkeeper, much to the home fans' delight.

It is the second time Paul Clement's Derby side have clawed their way back in a game to earn a point after falling behind in both Saturday and tonight's game. If they are to get promotion, they will be desperate to get their first win on Friday night in what will be another tricky Championship tie away to high flying Birmingham City.

Despite being slightly disappointed not to take all three points, Boro will certainly be happy with another point on the road as they look to bounce back after their cruel play-off defeat last season.