Derby County Under-18s fell to a frustrating 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United at Moor Farm in a game of few clear-cut chances.
The young Rams made a positive start to the game, controlling the possession of the ball and getting out wide frequently to the likes of Carlos Richards and Reece Nicholas-Davies, who found lots of space early in the game.
However, Newcastle's game plan was clear from the outset, and they showed their ruthless streak in transition to score the game's opening goal on the 13th-minute mark.
Lewis Miley did well to get to the byline and cut the ball back to Jay Turner-Cooke, whose first-time, curling effort from just outside the box flew past Alfie Roberts in the Derby goal.
Adam Robinson's side responded well to going a goal down but could not seem to break down a resolute Newcastle defence, and as Derby edged further and further forward, more space opened up for the opposition.
Newcastle counter-attacked well again for the second goal. When Miley saw Roberts off his line, the midfielder tried an audacious effort which looped over the backtracking goalkeeper and into the net to double the visitors' lead.
The home side looked for a quick response before half-time, with some darting runs from Malcolm Ebiowei and Nicholas-Davies, but both ended with poor shots, which did not trouble Max Thompson in the Newcastle goal.
The second half started well for Derby, who hit the crossbar when Bayo Fapetu met Ebiowei's cross from the left-hand side. The ball then fell to Richards, who blazed his close-range effort over the bar.
Unfortunately, that was as close as the home side got to scoring in the game in a frustrating afternoon for Robinson's men.
Newcastle added a third goal three-quarters of the way into the game, with a glancing header from midfielder Ben Parkinson, and they defended well in the second-half to suffocate Derby and stop them from getting back into the game.
Forward Zion Dixon came on early in the second half and had an excellent chance to pull one back for the young Rams late on in the game when he won the ball high up the pitch, but his low, driven effort was saved well by Thompson.
The hosts created more chances in the second period but could not cultivate the same clinical edge as their opponents, and that was the story of the game in an afternoon to forget for the Under-18s.
Robinson's side go away to Liverpool next in a re-arranged fixture, and they will look to bounce back quickly from back-to-back defeats.
Derby County Under 18s: Roberts, Brailsford, Moore, Robinson, Rutt, Ryan, Richards, Fapetu, Ebiowei (Kellyman 50'), Eze (Zion Dixon 50'), Nicholas-Davies
Subs not used: Christie, Randle, Aideyan