Glen McAuley had a goal disallowed and Dan Atherton saved a Rams penalty before Liam Coyle nodded the young Reds ahead just before half-time.
But the hosts levelled early in the second period as Jack Stretton forced the ball over the line – and the two teams had to settle for a point apiece from their league opener.
It was almost a dream start to the Gerrard era with barely three minutes on the clock.
A turnover in possession in midfield saw Edvard Tagseth move the ball forward to Liam Millar and he immediately through to McAuley, who nonchalantly swept a fine finish from the left into the right corner.