FOR the second time this season, Derby County had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday after squandering a two-goal lead.
Jeff Hendrick opened the scoring for the Rams in the first half and Jamie Ward converted a penalty just after the interval.
But the Owls battled back to earn a point with goals from Michail Antonio and Miguel Llera.
Dave Jones' men had also recovered from 2-0 down to draw on the opening day of the campaign at Pride Park.
Jake Buxton was handed a return to the Rams starting line-up after two months out with a knee injury.
Buxton was initially named among the substitutes but Mark O'Brien's withdrawal during the warm-up - due to a knee problem - forced manager Nigel Clough to make a ate change, with Michael Hoganson added to the bench.
Derby's starting line-up was otherwise unchanged from the 3-0 win ovetr Huddersfield Town.
The visitors started brightly and Ward tested Chris Kirkland with little over 30 seconds on the clock.
Ward's dipping effort from 20 yards was on target but Kirkland did well to push the ball away from danger with a diving one-handed save.
At the other end, Kieran Lee sent a glancing header straight at Adam Legzdins from a right-wing cross in the fourth minute.
The pace of the game was frenetic, making for an often scrappy opening.
However, Derby took a 23rd-minute lead with a well-worked goal.
Will Hughes found Craig Bryson on the left and he passed inside to Hendrick.
The newly-capped Republic of Ireland international latched on to the ball, exchanged passes with Ward on the edge of the box and slid a low shot wide of the advancing Kirkland.
Wednesday's new loan signing Connor Wickham had started on the bench but the England Under-21 striker was brought on for his debut shortly after the half-hour, replacing Kieran Lee.
Antonio's curling effort from 20 yards was comfortably held by Legzdins, who was largely untroubled before the half-time whistle blew.
Antonio blasted over in the first minute of the second half after getting the better of Craig Bryson.
But it was Derby who doubled their lead shortly afterwards.
Llera needlessly barged into Ward as he competed for a high ball in the box and referee Oliver Langford pointed to the spot.
Ward stepped up and drilled low past Kirkland from the spot - sending the 3,000 visiting fans behind the goal wild.
Their joy was short-lived, though, as the Owls hit straight back.
The Rams failed to deal with a Danny Pugh corner from the right and, in a crowd of players, Antonio prodded home from close range.
Lifted by the goal, Wednesday did not have to wait long for the equaliser, which arrived in the 57th minute.
Antonio swung in a teasing cross from the right and centre-back Llera - still up from a set piece - headed past Legzdins from six yards.
Kirkland beat away a Ward cross-shot from the tightest of angles, while Antonio saw his low shot deflected wide.
Wickham's angled effort in the 84th minute was helped behind by Legzdins, while Derby pressed for a late winner - but to no avail.
GOALS: Hendrick (23) 0-1; Ward pen (48) 0-2; Antonio (51) 1-2; Llera (57) 2-2.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Kirkland, L Buxton, Llera, Gardner, Pugh, Lee (Wickham, 33), Prutton, Coke, Helan (J Johnson, 87), Antonio, Lita. Other subs: Bywater (gk), Taylor, McCabe, Semedo, Madine.
DERBY COUNTY: Legzdins, Brayford, Keogh, J Buxton, Roberts, Coutts (Davies, 75), Hughes (Jacobs, 89), Hendrick, Bryson, Ward (Robinson, 79), Sammon. Other subs: Fielding (gk), Hoganson, Freeman, Gjokaj.
REFEREE: O Langford (West Midlands).
ATTENDANCE: 25,765.
BOOKINGS: Sheffield Wednesday - Helan (21) foul on Sammon; Wickham (90+4) dissent. Derby County - Hendrick (41) foul on Antonio; Brayford (54) foul on Helan.
