OXFORD United made it five consecutive draws in Sky Bet Championship after sharing a goal apiece at home against Derby County.

Dane Scarlett ensured it was two strikes in two games for himself when he opened the scoring after just 12 minutes on his first league start for the U’s at the end of a patient passing move.

However, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing levelled the game 10 minutes into the second half when he arrowed in a strike across goal.

The draw of course did extend United’s unbeaten home start to six Championship matches.

Des Buckingham made just the one change to the side which drew 1-1 at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, as Scarlett, the scorer of the stoppage time leveller against the Baggies, came in for Mark Harris.

There was also a return to the matchday squad for midfielder Josh McEachran, as Will Goodwin made way on the bench.

The first opening of the match came with two minutes on the clock, as Siriki Dembele worked space 25 yards out, but his strike was fired high and wide.

Ten minutes later, the U’s nudged in front. A patient passing move against a Rams side denying space in midfield resulted in Idris El Mizouni getting into the left channel and playing a low cross in for Scarlett, who got the killer touch to prod home inside the far post.

The Rams responded as Ebou Adams shrugged Will Vaulks off the ball and dragged a 25-yard effort wide, while a cross from the left saw Ben Osborn volley wide as he fell to the turf on the stretch.

At the other end, great play from Tyler Goodrham saw him glide past his marker and deliver a tantalising cross which somehow evaded everyone inside the penalty area, including Scarlett, before going the wrong side of the far post.

Corey Blackett-Taylor checked onto his right foot and sent a low strike comfortably into the gloves of Jamie Cumming, while Goodrham shot across goal from 25 yards out and saw his effort drift wide of the far post.

As half-time approached, Ben Nelson skipped past a couple of challenges and threaded a pass through for Ruben Rodrigues, who was thwarted by Callum Elder on the edge of the box.

A change was made at the break by United, as Owen Dale came on for Dembele, with the switch seeing Dale line up on the right wing and Goodrham to move over to the opposite flank.

Six minutes into the second period, Blackett-Taylor pulled the ball back for Kenzo Goudmijn in a central area on the periphery of the box, but Nelson positioned himself well to block the attempt.

The Rams levelled matters 10 minutes into the second half, when sloppy play from the U’s saw the ball find its way out to Mendez-Laing, who arrowed in across goal.

Scarlett wrapped his right foot around a 30-yard free kick at the other end, however Jacob Zetterstrom was able to take the ball into his midriff.

It was the final bit of action by the Tottenham Hotspur loanee, who was replaced by Harris shortly after the hour mark.

A double switch was then made by Buckingham, who introduced McEachran and Louie Sibley for Vaulks and El Mizouni respectively.

The momentum though remained with the Rams, who saw Adams strike an effort from just inside the box off target when the ball fell to him following a cross.

McEachran did though nick the ball on the left and look for Dale through the centre, but the winger’s touch was heavy and allowed a Rams defender to get in front of him and clear the ball.

United struggled to get out of their own half for a spell before the clash slowly but surely swung back in favour of the hosts.

Sibley swivelled and directed a shot which warmed the gloves of Zetterstrom, while Buckingham made his final alteration with five minutes to go, as Greg Leigh replaced Rodrigues.

Leigh went down the left wing, allowing Goodrham to slide across into midfield.

The 21-year-old was involved soon enough in that midfield role, cutting inside onto his right foot and bending a shot just wide in the first minute of six added on.

It was the closest either side came to grabbing a winner in stoppage time, as both teams were forced to settle for a point.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Cumming; Kioso, Moore, Nelson, Brown; Rodrigues (Leigh 85), Vaulks (McEachran 67), El Mizouni (Sibley 67); Goodrham, Scarlett (Harris 62), Dembele (Dale 46).

Unused subs: Ingram, Long, ter Avest, Ebiowei.

Booked: Goodrham.

Derby County (4-3-3): Zetterstrom; Wilson, Nelson, Cashin, Elder; Adams, Goudmijn (Harness 57), Osborn; Mendez-Laing (Phillips 89), Yates (Collins 89), Blackett-Taylor (Jackson 57).

Unused subs: Vickers, Forsyth, Bradley, Ward, Brown.

Booked: Osborn, Elder, Blackett-Taylor, Yates, Cashin.

Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey)

Attendance: 11,423 (1,481 visitors)