A Richard Stearman own goal gifted Derby a point as the visitors scraped a draw with Leicester at the Walkers Stadium.

On-loan Spurs striker Mounir El Hamdaoui had given the Rams a first-half lead but Iain Hume levelled before the break.

Alan Maybury powered the Foxes in front before the luckless Stearman found the back of his own net.

And it had been the hosts who mounted the first attack of note as Joey Gudjonsson warmed Rams goalkeeper Lee Camp's gloves with a fierce 20-yard snap-shot, which was pushed around the woodwork.

And then Hume wasted a glorious opportunity when he dragged his shot wide from just 12 yards out.

Momo Sylla was the next to chance his arm for City but his weak effort was easily collected by Camp before the visiting keeper's right boot denied the on-rushing Matty Fryatt moments later.

But in the 24th minute and against the run of play, El Hamdaoui seized on a pass-back from Danny Graham in the left channel and smashed home a half-volley which beat Foxes keeper Rab Douglas low down at his right-hand post.

But three minutes later and the hosts were back on terms as Hume redeemed himself by racing clear, again following Maybury's feed, to beat Camp.

And more heroics from the goalkeeper were needed to deny Fryatt in the 37th minute before a Marc Edworthy screamer hit the City crossbar.

Moments later El Hamdaoui's evening was brought to a premature end as the Moroccan limped out of the action to be replaced by midfielder Paul Thirlwell.

In the second half Leicester ran out with Paul Henderson having replaced Douglas between the posts although the first action of the half came at the other end where Gudjonsson's backheel sent Maybury on his way along the right, although the Irishman could only cross into the arms of Camp.

But Leicester soon capitalised on their threat when, with 55 minutes gone, Hume found Gudjonsson before the Icelander in turn spread the ball to the right for Maybury to power the ball past an exposed Camp.

Parity was restored within two minutes though when central defender Tomasz Hajto met Morten Bisgaard's corner from the Derby left.

But it was City defender Stearman who inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

Foxes boss Rob Kelly replaced left winger Sylla with Ryan Smith in the 65th minute but it was Gudjonsson who fired a free-kick drive marginally wide from 25 yards out ahead of Camp saving at the feet of Stephen Hughes as Leicester piled on more pressure.

Late on Camp saved Derby again as Hume turned Darren Moore inside out and then pulled the trigger from 18 yards.

Teams:

Leicester Douglas (Henderson 45), Stearman, McCarthy,Kisnorbo, Johansson, Maybury, Gudjonsson, Hughes,Sylla (Smith 65), Hume, Fryatt.

Subs Not Used: Williams, Gerrbrand, O'Grady.

Booked: Hughes.

Goals: Hume 27, Maybury 55.

Derby Camp, Edworthy, Hajto, Moore, Kenna,Bisgaard (Peschisolido 83), Bolder, Barnes, Smith,El Hamdaoui (Thirlwell 38), Graham.

Subs Not Used: Poole, Doyle, Holmes.

Booked: Barnes, Bolder, Bisgaard.

Goals: El Hamdaoui 24, Stearman 58 og.

Att: 23,246

Ref: P Crossley (Kent).