Pressure mounted on manager Chris Turner as woeful Wednesday's miserable run stretched to 10 league matches without a win.
Struggling Chesterfield came close to putting one over on their big city neighbours but they had to settle for a point in the first meeting of the sides in 24 years.
Turner as already admitted he is under pressure after his side's exit from the FA Cup to third-division Scunthorpe on penalties in midweek, and Wednesday were booed off the pitch after failing to impress.
Chesterfield rocked Wednesday with a high energy opening and might have claimed an early lead.
A deep cross by Mark Innes from the left found Glynn Hurst in space but his glancing header was well wide.
A minute later though Wednesday keeper David Lucas had to be alert to save low from Chris Brandon.
And Lucas produced a super save when new boy Derek Niven latched onto a right flank cross from Gus Uhlenbeek and angled a low effort that Lucas saved at the second attempt.
Wednesday finally produced a threat after 20 minutes when Grant Holt powered through a challenge but his shot from a tight angle was turned away by Carl Muggleton.
Wednesday's new signing Mark Robins showed his pedigree with quality touches that had Chesterfield on the back foot.
His neat lay off triggered a Michael Reddy cross from the right but Grant Holt should have done better when he headed wide from eight yards.
Another Reddy cross fell to Craig Armstrong but the Wednesday midfielder was hopelessly off target with his ambitious overhead kick.
In the last ten minutes Wednesday went close but Paul McLaren blazed wide from 20 yards then Lloyd Owusu's diving header was saved by Muggleton's legs.
But Chesterfield's David Reeves came within a whisker when he smashed a late effort just wide.