Harry Bunn's first home goal for Huddersfield Town since February cancelled out Chris Martin's opener and ensured the sides went in level at half time in their Championship clash at the John Smith's Stadium.
Tom Ince's early strike from inside the box was blocked by Sean Scannell, and from the resulting corner Scannell led a counter attack that was brought to an end when George Thorne felled the midfielder.
Derby then had a free kick of their own in a dangerous position after Jason Davidson tripped Ince, but Johnny Russell's effort deflected off the wall and behind.
Russell was involved in the opening goal, though, as his scuffed volley fell to the feet of Martin, who stabbed home for his fourth goal in four games.
Both sides were then forced into an early change as Scannell was replaced by Mustapha Carayol and Derby's Ince made way for Andreas Weimann.
Neither man was involved in the leveller though as Bunn was on hand to prod home after Ishmael Miller's shot had come back off the crossbar.
Jed Steer then kept his team level when he pulled off a reaction save from Jason Shackell's bullet header in the final minutes of the first half.
