Gareth Davis reports from Pride Park Stadium

Derby picked up their first Premier League point of the new season after a thrilling opening-day encounter.

They got off to the best possible start as Matt Oakley fired them in front with just three minutes on the clock.

Benjani equalised for the visitors on 26, and Steve Howard saw a header bounce back off the post.

Craig Fagan saw a good second-half opportunity saved by David James but the visitors looked set to steal all three points when John Utaka put them in front on 82.

However the Rams came roaring back immediately and levelled through Andy Todd's diving header.

They will face sterner tests this season but a point on the opening day - and in the manner it came - will give them good heart.

Andy Griffin, Claude Davis, Andy Todd and Robert Earnshaw lined up for their Derby County debuts on the opening day of the season.

Griffin, against the club he left to join Derby, slotted in at left-back, Davis in the centre alongside Darren Moore, Todd sitting in a holding midfield role and Earnshaw alongside Steve Howard.

Todd had skipper Matt Oakley and Wembley goalscorer Stephen Pearson in front of him, with Craig Fagan pushing on in support of Howard and Earnshaw.

And with three minutes on the clock Pride Park erupted.

Stephen Bywater launched a long goal-kick up towards Steve Howard, who performed his usual target-man role to perfection with a superb flick into the path of Oakley.

Matt Oakley wheels away after putting Derby in front. Picture by EMPICS Sport

The skipper used all those years of experience with Southampton - Portsmouth's big south-coast rivals - to compose himself before smashing his shot low past David James and into the corner.

Portsmouth tried to reply through David Nugent, but the former Preston striker's 20-yard volley was safely past the post.

But on nine the Rams almost doubled their lead.

Oakley's free-kick was only half-cleared out to the edge of the box, where Todd bustled in to force his way past Sol Campbell but he couldn't keep his shot on target.

Another Oakley set-piece on 14 caused more danger as his floating delivery was met at the far post by Moore, a former Pompey player, but the big man could only power his header straight at James.

Howard showed his defensive qualities with a fine header out from in front of goal as Sean Davis's corner curled dangerously in, though Bywater had his first moment of action shortly afterwards as Pedro Mendes forced him into a smart save from 20 yards.

But Portsmouth were looking dangerous on the break, particularly with the pace of Nugent and John Utaka, and it was they who combined for the equaliser on 26.

The ball found its way to Benjani, inside the penalty area but to the right of goal, and he slipped past Griffin before firing the ball under Bywater's body.

Benjani celebrates the equaliser. Picture by EMPICS Sport

It was a blow to Derby, who had began life back in the Premier League looking confident and up for the challenge ahead.

But the goal just goes to show what the Rams will be facing this season - give the opposition even a slight sniff and they'll take advantage.

Sulley Muntari strode forward on 32 and exchanged passes with Utaka before forcing Bywater into a smart save low down to his right.

The Rams were almost back in front six minutes before half-time.

Fagan, enjoying a lively performance so far, escaped down the right and crossed for Howard to head down.

James was beaten bu Howard's header rebounded back off the post and away to safety.

Portsmouth right-back Lauren picked up the game's first yellow card for a stoppage-time hack on Pearson, just as it looked like the Scot was about to make ground into the box.

It gave Derby another set-piece opportunity but James easily grabbed Oakley's left-wing delivery.

Neither side made a change at the interval but only an excellent last-ditch tackle from Claude Davis stopped Benjani bringing about an immediate change in scoreline.

The Rams' first chance after the break came nine minutes in as a loose pass on halfway fell into the path of Fagan.

He couldn't quite shake off the attentions of Campbell but still did enough to get into the area where he brought a fine low save out of James.

Oakley then saw yellow for what referee Mike Dean deemed as a deliberate handball, though it was out near the touchline and hardly a dangerous situation.

Derby forced a series of corners on 65 minutes with Oakley's deliveries causing plenty of concern inside the Portsmouth box, not least when Moore rose unchallenged but saw his powerful header deflected away.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp called for his mercurial Nigerian on 69 minutes as Kanu came on for Nugent, ending the England man's debut 21 minutes early.

The next item of note came three minutes later as Pompey picked up their second yellow card of the afternoon, Sean Davis for scything through Fagan from behind.

Fagan was fit to continue as the Rams made their first change, with Gary Teale taking the place of Earnshaw.

And almost immediately Derby saw penalty appeals waved away as Mears broke into the box and was challenged by Mendes, who Dean felt had got the ball first.

Griffin's afternoon came to a close on 79 minutes as he was replaced by Jay McEveley, while at the same time Portsmouth made a switch on their left - Matt Taylor taking over from Muntari.

But with 82 on the clock the visitors took the lead for the first time.

A long Sylvain Distin free-kick wasn't dealt with inside the box and it was nodded back across to Utaka, who made no mistake with a firm finish from close range.

Opening days are never dull however and less than 90 seconds later the Rams were level.

Pearson's run into the box was stopped but the ball came to Oakley, who sublimely flicked it wide to Teale.

The substitute appeared to have taken too long over his delivery but he was clearly picking his man as Todd dived in with an emphatic header to see Derby on terms.

The Rams celebrate after Andy Todd levels matters late in the day. Picture by EMPICS Sport

Then Pearson found Teale with an inch-perfect pass but, cutting in from the right, the Scot only blazed his effort wide of the near post.

Oakley saw a late effort screw wide of the post but a point on the opening day is never a bad way to get the new season underway.

DERBY: Bywater, Oakley (C), Howard, Earnshaw (Teale 73), Fagan, Todd, Griffin (McEveley 79), C Davis, Moore, Mears, Pearson.

SUBS: Price (GK), Jones, Macken.

PORTSMOUTH: James, Lauren, Hreidarsson, Nugent (Kanu 69), Muntari (Taylor 79), Distin, Utaka, Campbell (C), Benjani (Pamarot 90), S Davis, Mendes.

SUBS: Ashdown (GK), Hughes.

ATTENDANCE: 32,17 (3,068 visiting fans).