In a game which had shades of the corresponding fixture last season, Forest took a first-half lead through James Garner's first goal for the club but they were pegged back late on when Rams striker Colin Kazim-Richards hammered home an equaliser followed a blocked clearance by Tobias Figueiredo.
Chris Hughton made two changes to the side that won at Rotherham on Tuesday as Gaetan Bong and Ryan Yates were replaced in the starting line-up by Yuri Ribeiro and Garner respectively with Yates missing out on the squad altogether after picking up a minor injury.
The opening stages of the derby were largely dominated by possession from the home side and they came close to an opening goal midway through the half. Graeme Shinnie's half-volley was pushed out by Brice Samba and Martyn Waghorn's follow-up strike was well blocked by Ribeiro and Forest were able to clear the ball away to safety.
From the resulting corner, The Reds were perhaps slightly fortunate not to be behind. The ball was delivered into the six-yard box and Samba looked like he may have been impeded as he tried to come and collect it but fortunately for Forest, Jason Knight scooped the ball over the unguarded net and into the South Stand.
There were 33 minutes on the clock when Forest hit the front through Garner's first goal in the Garibaldi. Derby cleared an initial Forest corner but Filip Krovinovic kept the ball alive and sent a diagonal pass out to Joe Worrall on the edge of the box. Worrall's header flew across the penalty area to Garner and his scuffed shot squirmed under the body of David Marshall into the back of the Derby net.
Marshall was soon forced from the field with a back injury to be replaced by Kelle Roos and the substitute goalkeeper almost presented Forest with a second goal. Garner's snap shot bounced awkwardly in front of Roos, he spilled the ball but was able to claim it at the second attempt just as Glenn Murray looked ready to turn it past the Dutchman.
Colin Kazim-Richards had proved a handful for the Forest back four and he came inches away from an equaliser ten minutes into the second half. Knight's pass set Kazim-Richards in behind The Reds' defence and with the angle against the experienced striker, he could only roll the ball just wide of the far post with Samba beaten.
As the game passed the hour mark, spaces were opening up for both sides in the centre of the park. Knockaert produced an excellent piece of skill to get away from his man and sent the ball down the line for Cyrus Chrisite. His delivery into the box was met by the head of Garner but the youngster could only send his effort straight down the throat of Roos in the Derby goal.
The Reds were controlling the situation at Pride Park and they had two good chances to extend their lead with 15 minutes to play. Joe Worrall was first up as he saw a header from Knockaert's corner cleared off the line before Luke Freeman fired the ball inches over the crossbar after good work from substitute Lyle Taylor who had stolen it back off a Derby defender.
Derby did manage to find the equaliser they craved with six minutes of normal time to play. Figueiredo attempted to clear a long ball over the top but it cannoned back off Kazim-Richards, fell down to his right foot and he unleashed a terrific strike beyond Samba into the far corner of the net.
There were late opportunities for both sides through Krovinovic and Rams substitute Lee Gregory but neither found the back of the net and both sides were left with a point to show for their efforts but they can reflect on a positive week where they took seven points out of a possible nine ahead of Tuesday night's visit of Luton Town.
Forest: Samba; Christie, Figueiredo, Worrall (c), Ribeiro; Cafu, Garner; Knockaert, Krovinovic, Freeman (Blackett 83'); Murray (Taylor 70')
Subs not used: Smith, Mbe Soh, Colback, Ameobi, Jenkinson, Sow, Lolley
Goal: Garner 33'
Derby: Marshall (c) (Roos 43'); Byrne, Wisdom, Clarke, Buchanan; Shinnie (Gregory 64'), Bird; Waghorn (Roberts 75'), Knight; Jozwiak (Sibley 64'); Kazim-Richards
Subs not used: Forsyth, Edmundson, Baningime, McDonald, Watson
Goal: Kazim-Richards 84'
Booking: Wisdom 82'
Referee: Oliver Langford
