Derby County’s Under-23s recorded a hard-fought 0-0 draw against East Midlands neighbours Leicester City in Premier League 2 - Division 1 on Sunday afternoon.
The match, played at Moor Farm Training Ground, saw the Rams pick up a welcome point in their quest to remain in the division.
The point on home turf leaves the Under-23s four points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table with six league matches left to play this term.
Pat Lyons’ side included a strike pairing of Bartosz Cybulski and Jack Stretton, the latter of which returning to action after a brief spell out of action due to injury, whilst free agent Josh Shonibare started after coming off the bench to score in the thrilling 4-3 Premier League Cup Round of 16 success against Sheffield United last Monday.
With the Under-23s centre-back options limited, midfield pair Darren Robinson and Courtney Clarke lined up at the heart of the defence once again and Tyree Wilson and Kornell McDonald started after making their comebacks from injury in recent weeks.
The opening 45 minutes of the contest brought little in terms of clear-cut opportunities in front of goal. Over the course of the half both sides did advance into good attacking areas, but they were unable to make those moments in the attacking third count.
Derby’s best moments from an attacking sense saw Northern Ireland youth international Robinson head over the crossbar following a corner, while the lively Shonibare had an effort defected wide for a corner.
Derby were forced into a change due to injury midway through the half with goalkeeper Harrison Foulkes unable to continue so trialist Harry Seaden, a 20-year-old previously on the books of Southend United, came off the bench.
Leicester came the closet to making the breakthrough moments before the interval as Oliver Ewing cut inside from the right to get a shot away, however he fired over from 12 yards out.
The visitors had the better chances early in the second half as Wanya Madivadua forced Seaden into a good stop after the break and, moments later, Shane Flynn hit the post as the Foxes upped the pressure.
Sammy Braybrook brought another good stop out of Seaden on the hour mark, while down the other end Derby substitute Ola Ibrahim had an effort cleared off the line with 20 minutes left.
Derby had a chance at the death with Shonibare striking goalwards from inside the box, but Chituru Odunze in the Leicester goal did well to push his effort away to ensure the game ended goalless.
Derby’s Under-23s will return to Premier League 2 - Division 1 action on Monday 21st March when they head north to face Blackburn Rovers (7pm kick-off).
Derby County Under-23s: Foulkes (GK) (Seaden 21), McDonald, Grewal-Pollard, Watson (C), Robinson, Clarke, Wilson (Matthews 46), Aghatise, Cybulski, Stretton (Ibrahim 65), Shonibare.
Substitutes Not Used: Brailsford, Kelly-Caprani.
Leicester City Under-23s: Odunze (GK), Wormleighton, Brunt (C), Braybrooke, Flynn, Nelson, Madivadua, Ewing, Suengchitthawon, Alves (Pennant 78), Maswanhise (Fitzhugh 72)
Substitutes Not Used: Hughes, Chibueze (GK), Goosmark-Ford.