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Derby missed out on the chance to go second in the Championship as they were held to a draw against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

The home side were generally more enterprising, with Ross Wallace's shot forcing a superb save from Lee Grant.

It was the only effort on target in the opening half and chances remained scarce for either side after the break.

Daniel Pudil hammered a shot wide for the Owls, while Derby's Bradley Johnson rattled the bar with a late free-kick.

The Rams remain in third place, two points behind Middlesbrough, with Wednesday moving above Birmingham City into seventh place, and outside the play-off places on goal difference only.

The match saw players and supporters pay tribute to 18-year-old Sheffield Hallam University student Caroline Everest, who was found dead in a river last month, with a round of applause in the 18th minute.

Wednesday have not beaten the Rams in any competition since April 2006 and boss Carlos Carvalhal made five changes to the starting line-up against Blackburn last weekend in the hope of finding a winning formula.

The visitors had Lee Grant in goal in place of the injured Scott Carson and he soon proved his worth as he prevented Wallace's powerful half-volley from finding the top corner.

There was plenty of endeavour by Wednesday in the first 45 minutes, but the game lacked the touch of quality that might have been expected from two of the division's form sides.

Derby, having won 10 of their last 13 Championship matches, took until the 67th minute to produce an effort of note, when Johnson's left-foot effort was saved by Keiren Westwood.

Tom Ince was largely ineffective in front of watching father Paul and was taken off just after the hour mark along with Stephen Warnock, who had taken a knock.

It was Johnson, back in the side after suspension, who came closest to a winner when Johnny Russell rolled an indirect free-kick to him inside the box after the Owls were penalised for a backpass, and his shot struck the woodwork.

Wednesday defender Glenn Loovens glanced a corner wide, and Derby sub Darren Bent had the ball in the net late on but it was ruled out for offside, with neither side able to break the deadlock.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal: "I analysed the game and I think they played very well, but today I think we played better than the opponent.

"I am not saying we are better than Derby, but today I think we had more quality on the pitch.

"This is good for us, this is good for the future. Where you are in the table, I don't think it is important as it's December.

"In May, it can be important but not at this moment. It is important that we're in a process."

Derby County head coach Paul Clement: "I didn't think we played very well today - I was very disappointed at the end of the first half.

"It was slightly better in the second half and in the end we were only a crossbar away from nicking it, but I think overall it was probably a fair result.

"Credit to them and the way they defended - tight lines, a lot of pressure on the ball, doubling up and they've got confidence here at home. They've got a good home record."