Leroy Lita rescued a last-minute point for Middlesbrough in their clash with Derby at Pride Park.
Boro hit back to snatch point at Pride Park
Leroy Lita rescued a last-minute point for Middlesbrough in their clash with Derby at Pride Park.
Lita's late header from a Barry Robson free-kick keeps Gordon Strachan's men in the play-off picture while the Rams remain in danger at the wrong end of the table.
The comeback was more remarkable given the visitors had been reduced to 10 men after Rhys Williams' late challenge on Dean Leacock.
In-form Robson had fired the visitors in front before the break only for Chris Porter and Michael Tonge to respond, before Lita had the final word.
Robson's deflected free-kick from the right side of the area after four minutes had David Martin scrambling across his goal but the ball went wide of the far post.
At the other end, Danny Coyne pushed a driven shot from Rob Hulse behind for a corner after Tonge had seized on some sloppy midfield play by Boro.
Boro took the lead when Andrew Taylor's cross was only headed to the edge of the area by Nicky Hunt and Robson's rocket of a volley flew past Martin.
It was the Teessiders' first away goal in 313 minutes of league football since David Wheater scored in a 1-1 draw at Ipswich at the start of last month.
Chances
There were more chances at the beginning of the second half than the entire first 45 minutes, and they were all created by Boro.
Williams was denied by a brave block by Hunt before Scott McDonald and Chris Killen both narrowly missed with efforts from the edge of the box.
McDonald then curled a shot just wide of the far post from the left side of the area after 65 minutes.
So it was against the run of play when Derby equalised through Porter.
The former Motherwell man had only been introduced as a replacement for Robbie Savage four minutes previously when he headed in at the far post after Coyne could only push Jay McEveley's cross into his path.
Derby went ahead when Boro failed to clear their lines and Tonge crashed in a 20-yard volley that was equally as good as Robson's earlier effort.
Gary O'Neil sent a volley just wide as Boro searched for the equaliser.
It looked unlikely to come after Williams saw red but Lita got a touch to Robson's inswinging cross to earn a vital point.
