A late Tony Crane equaliser earned relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday a valuable point after 10-man Derby had battled back from a goal down to the brink of victory.

Warren Barton's first-half horror show, which featured an own goal and red card, appeared to have put the visitors within sight of a rare away win.

But in a pulsating second half Adam Bolder struck twice to turn the game on its head before substitute Crane had the final say.

For a team that has appeared in desperate need of a slice of fortune, the visitors could hardly have wished for a more gift-wrapped start to the game.

Michael Reddy's 16th-minute cross looked destined to be cleared by Barton only for the veteran defender to divert the ball into his own net.

And just 12 minutes later Wednesday striker Reddy made a second appearance in Barton's personal nightmare, as a professional foul earned the Derby man a straight red card.

The in-form Giorgi Kinkladze did his best to steady the Derby ship by stamping some authority on the midfield battle.

And after Rams boss John Gregory sent on Pablo Mills for Luciano Zavagno to provide more width, the confidence appeared to return to the home side.

It was not until the introduction of Fabrizio Ravanelli at the break that the Derby fightback began in earnest, however.

If things had gone badly wrong for the old head in the home defence, the old head in attack enjoyed better fortune.

Seven minutes after going on the former Italy frontman nodded the ball into the path of Bolder and his rising volley flew into the roof of the net.

Robinson and Reddy replied with shots for Wednesday but it was Derby who had the bit between their teeth and fully deserved to take the lead with 20 minutes to go.

Lee Morris showed good strength before squaring to Bolder and he made no mistake with a low finish from six yards.

Wednesday boss Chris Turner threw on Shefki Kuqi and Crane for Lloyd Owusu and Reddy, and to their credit the visitors refused to throw in the towel.

Powell headed over the top, and with eight minutes to go Crane connected with Robinson's cross to volley the game back to parity.

Kuqi, Brian Barry-Murphy and Danny Maddix all fired in shots as Wednesday pushed for the win, but Derby goalkeeper Lee Grant ensured the spoils were shared.

Teams

Derby Grant, Jackson, Barton, Elliott, Zavagno (Mills 31), Bolder, Lee, Kinkladze, Boertien, Morris (Tudgay 89), McLeod (Ravanelli 45).

Subs Not Used: Oakes, Murray.

Sent Off: Barton (27).

Booked: Elliott, Morris, Lee.

Goals: Bolder 53, 70.

Sheff Wed Evans, Monk, Westwood, Maddix, Barry-Murphy, Quinn, Powell, Robinson, Johnston, Owusu (Kuqi 71), Reddy (Crane 78).

Subs Not Used: Stringer, McLaren, Haslam.

Booked: Powell, Quinn.

Goals: Barton 16 og, Crane 83.

Att: 26,311

Ref: M Ryan (Lancashire).