Never write off Derby. For the third time this season Jim Smith's team clawed their way back from a seemingly impregnable deficit to salvage an unlikely draw last night.

Having trailed by three goals with only 22 minutes remaining, Derby were saved by two goals from substitute Malcolm Christie and Branko Strupar's fourth goal in as many games.

Middlesbrough seemed destined to win their second successive away match after an early penalty from Alen Boksic and two goals at the start of the second half by Joseph-Desire Job and Brian Deane.

To the intense irritation of manager Jim Smith, Derby had been behind in every game and it was with a familiar sense of foreboding when Boksic both won and converted an 11th-minute penalty.

The Croatian striker was felled by Stefano Eranio as he tried to jink his way through a clutch of defenders on the perimeter of the penalty area. Eranio tried to claim it was outside the area, and television replays indicated that he was right, but the Italian got short shrift from the referee Rob Styles and Boksic casually sent Mart Poom the wrong way.

In the 51st minute Middlesbrough struck again, with Boksic predictably involved. This time, after latching on to Christian Karembeu's through ball, his toe-poke was blocked by Poom but the rebound fell conveniently for Job to scuff in.

There was worse to come for Derby just before the hour. Phil Stamp charged down the right and delivered a low centre for Deane to shoot between Poom's legs.

Christie headed Derby back into the game in the 68th minute and Strupar guaranteed a thumping finish with another header seven minutes from time before Christie poked in the equaliser.

Derby: Poom, Schnoor, Delap, Johnson, Sturridge, Burton, Elliott, Eranio (Christie 65), Bragstad, Strupar (Murray 90), Valakari (Kinkladze 65). Subs Not Used: Higginbotham, Oakes. Booked: Schnoor, Valakari, Johnson. Goals: Christie 68, Strupar 83, Christie 88.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Fleming, Vickers, Festa, Pallister (Gavin 58), Karembeu, Ince, Deane, Boksic (Whelan 60), Job (Summerbell 71), Stamp. Subs Not Used: Mustoe, Campbell. Booked: Festa, Summerbell. Goals: Boksic 12 pen, Job 51, Deane 59.

Referee: R Styles (Waterlooville).