Snapshot: Derby illustrated their never say die attitude on Saturday to equalise through substitute Giles Barnes at the death in a game that will be remembered as much for the missed chances as it will the goals. The Rams twice came back from a goal deficit to share the spoils with the Bluebirds to prevent us from taking a six point advantage following a good set of results from our peers; our lead over second place now four points.

After a first half of missed opportunities, the first to score was Glenn Loovens with a powerful header ten minutes into the second period. After Loovens was forced to leave the field with a suspected concussion, Derby then pulled themselves back into the action against the run of play through Steve Howard with a similar effort to our Dutch defender's opener.

We were considering a stalemate at Ninian Park, but were thrilled by a great Thompson touch to unleash Chopra to give us a deserved lead. It was looking all but over, but true to Billy Davies' style of play the Rams pulled a goal back at the death with a thunderbolt to silence the Cardiff celebrations.

Next up comes two away trips to Sunderland and Colchester as Cardiff aim to get back to winning ways and keep the promotion hopes moving forward.

Team News: For City there was the obvious return of Michael Chopra up front after serving his one match ban for picking up five yellow cards. We also saw a welcome return from Kevin McNaughton from a hamstring problem - his availability coming just in time as Kerrea Gilbert was out following his red card against Norwich. The change meant that on either side of defence were McNaughton in his usual left side berth, while James Chambers, on loan from Watford moved to his preferred right side.

For Derby there was a surprise change in goal as Stephen Bywater replaced Lee Grant. Other changes were in Rams skipper Matt Oakley coming back from an injury to replace Adam Boulder - a like for like swap. Dean Leacock was also included in the starting eleven, covering for the suspended Darren Ward.

Chronological Report: Weather conditions inside Ninian Park were perfect for a Soccer Am Sheephead report as 'Light Drizzle' fell from the skies.

Early chances were made for Cardiff with some nice passing on the break. Bywater in the Derby goal was largely untested by runs and balls in from Thompson, Chopra and Parry, but the cohesion from blue shirts in creating chances was encouraging, especially after the issues from the Norwich game.

After twelve minutes of chasing and harassing Derby a good chance opened for Chopra, who fired a shot low that Bywater did well to get down and block. Chopra however hadn't given up on the cause and following his shot had run forward to pressure the 'keeper to push the ball out for a corner.

The ball in was well defended and cleared, though fell to the feet of McPhail from twenty yards out. His shot was powerful, but directed too high to force a save.

The City attack continued minutes later as another good move presented Ledley a chance to cross from a deep position on the left. Again the Rams cleared the danger, though this time to the returning McNaughton. The defender had space and time to pick his shot, though agonisingly blasted the ball wide.

The chances towards the Spar stand continued to come, but failed to be finished. After Thomo was up ended outside of the box just before twenty minutes, Paul Parry hen stole the ball from the Derby defence to then fire a shot on goal. Again we thought it had to be the opener, but the ball was thrashed over the bar.

Substitution. 22 mins: Michael Johnson off for Richard Jackson

After the Derby change of personnel, City should have really pulled ahead. Joe Ledley stole the ball inside his own half to then power towards the Derby goal. He then created the perfect diagonal pass to the on running Chopra to try his luck, but when Chops had found the space to shoot, Bywater's presence forced the chip to sail wide of the mark. Some thought the ball had gone in from the angle, but were quickly embarrassed as the celebration turned out to be needless.

Before this match report is considered incredibly one sided, we do have to explain that the opening twenty minutes were completely controlled by the Bluebirds.

Derby's first chance of note came after twenty five minutes as John Stead did well to break along the right touchline. He managed to then find his way inside the box before hitting a shot at Alexander. Despite the power however, it rarely looked like troubling Neil, though credit had to be given for holding onto the wet ball.

Fears of chances missed became more evident after half an hour played as a rare Derby attack saw the ball in the back of our net from Jon Stead. The ball was well picked up in our box by the on loan Sunderland man, but after his shot had been left by Alexander and nestled in the back of the City net, Derby fans celebrations were brought to a halt - the linesman's flag raised due to a foul by Stead in the build up.

Derby had done well to bring themselves back into the game as the half moved on, and until forty minutes had prevented our chances from continuing.

We thought however that the 'certain' goal was there again after forty minutes as again a magnificent build up ended with a pinpoint pass from Thompson to send Chopra clear. In on goal with only the 'keeper to beat, he amazingly fired his shot wide of the target - the one game ban perhaps halting his momentum to bang the goals in.

Derby no doubt thankful for our missed chances followed with a succession of corners won to test our resolve at the back. Despite their efforts, Darren Purse was a rock at the back, clearing anything that came our way.

The half ended with two additional minutes and a great chance for Derby from a dubious free-kick. The ball was stood over by Lupoli and Bisgaard, for the on loan Arsenal man to ghost a run before Bisgaard tried his luck. His shot cannoned off the City wall and then came back for Lupoli, but as per the Bluebirds efforts was lacking in direction - the ball flying over the bar.

Half Time: Cardiff 0 - 0 Derby

No changes were made following the interval as both sides came back out to better conditions with the rain easing off.

Derby came out of the traps brightly and inside the opening two minutes put pressure on Alexander through the impressive Lupoli - thankfully his effort on goal was found wanting.

After three minutes A Scimeca challenge on Kamara was met with a hail of boos from the City faithful. The replay showed that Scimeca clearly took the ball and didn't make any contact with the Derby man, though that didn't prevent his rolling around on the deck.

City followed with a succession of corners to try and unlock the Rams back line. After the first had been cleared, the second from Parry on the right was well met in the air by Loovens who powered in a great header to give Cardiff a deserved lead.

GOAL: Cardiff 1 - 0 Derby. Loovens 51 mins

City were good value for their lead, though Derby were still a threat to be taken seriously. The next chance however was a City one as a free kick thirty yards out was camped over by McPhail, Ledley and Chopra. A training ground move followed with a flick to Chopra's path before his shot was despatched towards Bywater. The direction and power were all good, but the Derby 'keeper did well to see the ball through the wall and hold.

Despite the City celebrations an unfortunate incident followed as Loovens was hurt in a fifty fifty challenge. After time being attended to by Sean Connelly it was clear that he was unable to continue. Applause then followed both for the efforts for Loovens and the introduction of Roger Johnson, who when called upon so far has impressed.

Substitution. Loovens off. Johnson on. 61 mins

After being under the cosh for the majority, Derby then managed to pull themselves back into the game. A good cross from the right was met by the towering Steve Howard, who to form buried the ball from the box. The goal hadn't looked like coming, but was a credit to the character of our guests.

GOAL: Cardiff 1 - 1. Steve Howard. 65 mins

The goal initially hit the Bluebirds where it hurt, though after a few minutes began to find their form again. After seventy minutes Parry came close with a rifled shot from thirty yards, though didn't do enough to create a City second.

Substitution. Bisgaard off. Barnes on.

After feeling the tension of conceding the Derby goal, celebrations inside Ninian then resumed following an amazing piece of football.

Parry at first broke down the right to then float a lovely ball to Thompson in the area. Thompson then showed his grace on the ball by touching the ball through to the run of Chopra - and this time there was no mistake as Chopra buried the ball to send the home fans ecstatic.

GOAL: Cardiff 2- 1 Derby. Michael Chopra. 73 mins

Chopra's goal had definitely restored his confidence as minutes later he was in on goal with a great turn and shot inside the area. It was a close call, but the ball after beating the diving Bywater sailed agonisingly wide.

Substitution. Stead off. Smith on. 80 mins

City were still in command going into the last five minutes, though in true Ninian Park style it was never a case of looking easy. Lupoli in particular looked a constant threat when going forward and the Rams were certainly not going to leave without a fight.

It was looking like the three points were going to be held onto, but a minute into the four added on we were dealt a body blow through a rocket of a shot from substitute Giles Barnes. To that point we were sitting back too deep for comfort, although the resulting shot from Barnes was hit with amazing power on the volley.

GOAL: Cardiff 2 - 2 Derby. Giles Barnes. 92 mins

The goal may have been hard to swallow, but City will consider themselves to be fortunate to leave the field with a point. Seconds before the final whistle Steve Howard found a way to break through and shoot, but his shot was sent wide - perhaps justice after the barrel of chances missed from our perspective in the opening forty five minutes.

That said, the point coupled with the results of our promotion chasing colleagues was still a positive return for the weekend. As annoyed as we are to have seemingly thrown two points away, we still sit on top of the pile withy thirty points - now four clear of the chasing pack led by Preston North End in second place.

Full Time: Cardiff 2 - 2 Derby

Cardiff: Alexander, McNaughton, Purse, Loovens (Johnson 62), Chambers, McPhail, Parry, Scimeca, Ledley, Thompson, Chopra. Subs Not Used: Howard, Flood, Campbell, Kamara. Goals: Loovens 52, Chopra 74.

Derby: Bywater, Edworthy, Camara, Leacock, Michael Johnson (Jackson 22), Oakley, Bisgaard (Barnes 72), Lupoli, Howard, Stead (Smith 80), Seth Johnson. Subs Not Used: Grant, Bolder. Goals: Howard 66, Barnes 90.

Att: 17,371

Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands)

Barrie McAuliffe