Jerry Yates's 92nd-minute penalty was one of just two Derby attempts on target
Substitute Jerry Yates slotted home an injury-time penalty to end beleaguered Derby County's miserable seven-match Championship losing streak and prevent Norwich City from moving into the play-off places.
Josh Sargent's delightful second-half strike seemed set to earn the hosts a third successive league win and consign the managerless Rams to a ninth consecutive defeat in all competitions.
But Derby, who sacked head coach Paul Warne on Friday and placed Matt Hamshaw in interim charge, showed commendable spirit to salvage a point in controversial circumstances.
As the game entered stoppage time, Norwich defender Jack Stacey was adjudged to have caught Marcus Harness with a high boot and Yates sent keeper Angus Gunn the wrong way from the spot to stop the Canaries moving up to sixth.
Derby then withstood strong home pressure during seven minutes of added time to pick up their first point since 26 December.
Until then, the change of boss - and five changes to the line-up from the most recent defeat against Sheffield United - did not seem like stopping Derby's miserable run continuing despite an encouraging first 45 minutes.
Both sides had goals disallowed for close offside calls in a frantic beginning, Lars-Jorgen Salvesen finding the net with a first-time finish for the visitors after some nice work from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, and Lewis Dobbin then having his strike wiped out for Norwich.
But although the visitors remained resolute in defence and looked dangerous on the break, they only managed one attempt on target.
Norwich dominated possession and stayed patient - and were rewarded after the break as sustained pressure led to Sargent's strike.
The American went close on two occasions before grabbing his fourth goal in three games when he smashed the ball into the top corner after a slick move and neat one-two with Emiliano Marcondes.
But the late, late intervention by Yates sparked jubilant scenes for the visiting fans, although Derby remain in the relegation zone, a point adrift of safety.
Norwich City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup told BBC Radio Norfolk:
"We know when you are only 1-0 up it doesn't take much for the game to change. It's tough but we have to get on with it and do better next time.
"We had control of the game but in the first half we weren't good enough. We were not dangerous enough and didn't have the collective movement we needed to open up a low defending team.
"We knew it was down to us to create the flow and we were too slow. It was much better in the second half where we were better connected and we scored the goal, but it was not enough.
"We did better in the second half but I still expect us to be better."
Interim Derby County boss Matt Hamshaw told BBC Radio Derby:
"That performance gives me huge pride. It was really hard to pick the group up.
"The lads were devastated because Paul [Warne] is a good guy and the lads really respected and liked him. But he was fully aware that the run of results haven't been good enough.
"I thought we had the better opportunities and could easily have come away with three points.
"The club and fans are amazing. I'm really pleased that the fans have something to shout about rather than just doom and gloom. It's a really good, positive day."
