Sunderland were denied their first away win of the season after Michael Chopra was thwarted by an offside flag at Derby.

Chopra thought he had put the Wearsiders ahead 34 minutes into the relegation battle at Pride Park but his effort was chalked off despite replays suggesting he was level.

The draw with the Barclays Premier League's bottom side at least ensured Sunderland avoided a club record 11th consecutive away defeat.

For Derby, who have already accepted relegation as their fate, there was the satisfaction of a first clean sheet since October, even though it needed late heroics from Hossam Ghaly to maintain it.

Ghaly brilliantly cleared off the line as the recalled Danny Higginbotham looked set to pounce two minutes from time.

Rams boss Paul Jewell made a number of changes as he sought to restore some pride for his beleaguered side.

Mile Sterjovski started his first game since the recent move from Genclerbirligi, David Jones ended a three-month wait for a start, while Eddie Lewis, Marc Edworthy and Emanuel Villa were all recalled.

But it was Sunderland who almost made the perfect start as Daryl Murphy beautifully controlled a long Nyron Nosworthy ball in the fourth minute and curled an effort against the post.

Kenwyne Jones tried to launch another Sunderland attack when he broke from inside his own half but Kenny Miller, unable to keep pace, hauled him down and earned a booking.

Miller had Derby's first chance when he turned and shot wide after chesting down with his back to goal on the edge of the area.

Chopra headed over as Sunderland created another opportunity and Murphy shot straight at Roy Carroll after finding space down the right and cutting inside on to his left foot.

Higginbotham was fortunate to escape without a booking after a late challenge on Sterjovski, as was Villa, who left Jonny Evans requiring treatment after catching him in the face.

Andy Reid caused anxiety in the Derby area with a free-kick Carroll punched away unconvincingly but the Rams survived and launched an attack themselves.

Stephen Pearson broke into the area and pulled back in front of goal but Sunderland managed to scramble clear.

Reid fired in another free-kick but Murphy could not keep his header on target.

Richardson then claimed to have been caught in the face after tangling with Sterjovski but it was the Sunderland man that conceded the free-kick.

Sunderland thought they had the lead after they worked the ball well around the penalty area and Reid slipped it through to Chopra in front of goal.

The former Newcastle man finished well but to his frustration, and despite appearing to time his run well, the flag was raised.

Jay McEveley did find his way into referee Mike Riley's notebook after a clumsy challenge on Chopra in the Sunderland area.

Derby defender Alan Stubbs had a narrow escape shortly before the interval when he deflected a cross narrowly wide of his own goal.

Richardson created the first real opportunity of the second half after wriggling past Villa and David Jones into the box but could not provide a decent ball.

Jones then tried his luck from distance when he spotted Carroll off his line as the ball broke to him just before the hour but the goalkeeper recovered.

Derby complained that Sunderland had not retreated 10 yards after Stubbs had a long-range free-kick blocked. The Rams then felt further aggrieved when Darren Moore was booked moments later for holding back Chopra.

After early being let off, Villa was finally booked for running into Higginbotham as the defender shaped to head the ball.

Chopra was the next man - and the first Sunderland player - to go into the book when Riley finally tired of his persistent fouling.

The second half was proving to be an extremely niggly and foul-littered affair with very little quality on show.

Miller had a chance for the Rams but shot high and wide while at the other end Jones was unable to find the target from 18 yards.

Miller almost broke through when Craig Gordon rashly raced out of his career two minutes from time but Sunderland managed to clear.

Sunderland had a late chance too when Carroll parried a Richardson shot and substitute Ghaly blocked Higginbotham's follow-up on the line.

Teams

Derby Carroll, Edworthy, Moore, Stubbs, McEveley,Sterjovski (Fagan 66), Jones (Ghaly 57), Pearson, Lewis,Miller (Earnshaw 80), Villa.

Subs Not Used: Price, Feilhaber.

Booked: Miller, McEveley, Lewis, Moore, Villa.

Sunderland Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Evans, Higginbotham,Chopra, Whitehead, Reid (Leadbitter 66), Richardson, Jones,Murphy (Stokes 80).

Subs Not Used: Fulop, McShane, Prica.

Booked: Chopra.

Att: 33,058

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).