Duane Holmes' equaliser at Middlesbrough was his first goal of the season
Duane Holmes scored a stoppage-time volley to rescue a point for Derby County against a resurgent Middlesbrough at The Riverside.
A stunning 25-yard strike from Lewis Wing, finding the bottom corner of Ben Hamer's goal, gave Boro a deserved first-half lead.
Derby's second-half reply was a fortuitous one, with Jason Knight scoring with what appeared to be a misdirected cross that beat goalkeeper Aynsley Pears and went in off the post.
Paddy McNair then restored Boro's lead from the spot after a mazy run from Patrick Roberts was clumsily ended by Matthew Clarke in the box.
But Derby, a side being directed around the pitch by England's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney, had time to snatch a point - which Holmes did with his 91st-minute effort.
A share of the spoils left the two resurgent teams equal on points, with Boro 16th in the table and Derby just one place below.
Middlesbrough, a side looking for a fifth successive league win, were brightest in the first half, and while Wing sent a header wide from close range in the opening minute, he quickly atoned - meeting a flicked pass from Marcus Tavernier on the edge of the area before bending a low shot home.
Boro keeper Pears ensured the hosts maintained that lead at the break, rushing off his line to foil Martyn Waghorn as he ran through on goal.
The Rams were fortunate not to be two down by half-time after Manchester City loanee winger Patrick Roberts lashed off target from six yards out.
Knight, whose first two goals as a professional footballer earned Derby a win over Charlton on 30 December, then levelled with a cross-come-shot.
McNair looked to have sealed the points from the spot against a side that has failed to win a league game away from home since the opening weekend of the season, but Holmes earned Phillip Cocu's Rams a draw that extends their unbeaten run to five in all competitions.
Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate told BBC Radio Tees:
"It feels like a defeat if I am going to be honest with you.
"It happens, it's football. I thought we outstanding first half and you know that's the only complaint I have of my team of not putting the game to bed.
"Not getting more goals and winning the game by two of three goals.
"Last minute of the game, (Holmes) goes and puts one in, an unbelievable volley. Paul Scholes-esqe really. So it feels like a defeat but it's important I pick the players up.
"We are trying to build something here and I am sure the fans have come to the stadium today thought the boys are playing well, they are doing what we want to do as a team, but it takes time."
Derby County manager Phillip Cocu told BBC Radio Derby:
"It was a great strike, it's a difficult ball because he (Holmes) has quite some time before he has to hit it and normally its easier if you just have a split second.
"Our first half was not that good, that's was the Derby County I don't want to see. I think Middlesbrough showed more desire.
"In the end I think we definitely deserved a point here.
"From my angle it is clear that Matt (Clarke) plays the ball because it changes direction. From my point of view it's a ridiculous penalty."
