Derby County registered their first league point in over 8 matches after holding out for a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United in their Premiership clash on Sunday.

It was a vastly improved performance by Derby from recent times as they twice took the lead through Giles Barnes and Kenny Miller but were held back both the times by goals from Mark Viduka, with the last coming just three minutes before full time.

Having secured their only victory of the season against Newcastle early on in the campaign, Derby took a shock lead in the 6th minute when Barnes drilled home a brilliant shot into the bottom corner of the net to score his side's second away goal of the season.

Stung by the goal, United pressed ahead as Smith, Martins and Beye all came close to restoring parity but were denied by some desperate saves by the Derby defense. The hosts finally equalized in the 27th minute when Smith crossed the ball to Viduka and the Australian striker steady himself before smashing the ball past Stephen Bywater and into the net.

Though Newcastle dominated the possession for the rest of the half, Derby managed to hold out and go into the second half on level terms. The hosts seemed to have lost he urgency that they had demonstrated in the first half and Derby made them pay seven minutes into the second when Miller prodded home Gary Teale flick on to put his side back in front.

Newcastle pressed ahead in search of an equalizer and carried out some desperate counter attacking moves but were unable to break down the Derby defense. With time ticking out it looked as if Derby will manage to chalk out their first away win of the season before Mark Viduka latched on to a long clearance by his defense and slotted home past Bywater much to the relief of the Newcastle faithful.