Derby threw away a two-goal lead against Walsall at Pride Park, Malcolm Christie's brace cancelled out by Steve Corica and an injury-time penalty from Zigor Aranalde.

The home side started brightly, Adam Murray's header forcing a save from Walsall keeper James Walker and Izale McLeod sending the ball wide from six yards out in the first five minutes.

Walsall struggled to contain Derby and it was no surprise when they found themselves a goal down in the 19th minute.

Rob Lee's pinpoint cross found Christie 25 yards out and he curled his shot past Walker into the top-right corner for his sixth goal of the season.

The home side continued to dominate but could not add to the scoreline and Walsall gradually forced themselves back into the game.

Darren Bazeley forced a save from Poom with a 30-yard strike and Danny Higginbotham and Lee blocked efforts from Junior and Fitzroy Simpson.

Sharp save

The visitors could have been level two minutes into the second half but Poom brilliantly saved Corica's 18-yard shot.

They were left to rue their missed chances when Christie got his second of the game in the 53rd minute.

He picked up the ball from Adam Murray and set out on a run from the right side, cut inside and finished well from 12 yards out, Walker only able to parry the ball into the net.

Walsall continued to battle however and got their reward in the 64th minute when Corica drilled the ball home left-footed from 25 yards to halve the deficit.

But hopes of a comeback seemed to be dashed when Danny Hay was sent off for a second yellow card in the 80th minute.

However, there was late drama as Poom conceded an injury-time penalty for a foul on Jorge Leitao and Aranalde stepped up to rescue a point for the Saddlers.

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Derby: Poom, Hunt, Riggott, Carbonari, Higginbotham, Boertien, Bolder, Lee, Murray, Christie, McLeod. Subs: Grant, Morris, Kinkladze, Evatt, Twigg.

Walsall: Walker, Bazeley, Hay, Roper, Aranalde, Corica, Simpson, O'Connor, Wrack, Junior, Leitao. Subs: Ward, Matias, Barras, Birch, Martinez.

Referee: J P Robinson (E Yorkshire)