Derby County 1-1 Norwich City

Scott Carson's penalty save from Nelson Oliveira ensured Derby had a half-time lead but they could not hang on

James Maddison's second-half penalty earned Norwich a deserved draw against promotion-chasing Derby.

Matej Vydra's 17th Championship goal of the season put the Rams ahead, the striker taking Ikechi Anya's pass and finding the far corner with a low shot.

The impressive Scott Carson kept Derby ahead at the break with a couple of fine stops, most notably to save Nelson Oliveira's spot-kick.

But the keeper could not repeat the feat to deny Maddison from the spot.

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Second-placed Derby were looking to move four points clear of third-placed Villa, who face local rivals Birmingham City on Sunday.

They looked set to do so and earn an eighth win in 12 league games after a bright start, which saw Vydra give them the lead.

But the Canaries dominated possession thereafter and created the better chances, with Oliveira a constant threat.

The Portuguese should have scored from the spot in the first half after Maddison was felled by Carson and also curled an effort just wide, as well as seeing another strike superbly saved by the England international.

But Carson could not keep out a second penalty after the break, following former Norwich striker Cameron Jerome's foul on Oliveira.

Both sides had opportunities late on, with Josh Murphy just off target for the visitors and Jerome also shooting wide for the hosts.

Derby manager Gary Rowett:

"I thought it was a clear dive [for the first penalty]. I don't like to say that and I thought James Maddison was excellent so I'm not going to vilify one individual.

"But as he knocked it past Scott Carson he left his leg in for contact.

"I felt he enticed the contact and it was too easy to go to ground - but if it was one of my players I would be saying exactly the same thing.

"I was disappointed with that first penalty but had no problem with the second or that Norwich were better than us. I think today was the poorest we have been for a while and we were very fortunate to keep our unbeaten run going."

Norwich head coach Daniel Farke:

"I think the result is a scandal because we should have won this game.

"For the last 75 minutes there was only one team controlling this game.

"We created so many chances against a team so good at defending, and in general a draw at Derby is a really great result because they are second in the table and on an unbeaten run.

"I think it was a clear penalty against James Maddison, for me it was obviously a penalty so compliments to the linesman that he was able to read the situation in the right way."