Derby County Under-21s edged out Newcastle United 1-0 at Matlock Town’s Proctor Cars Stadium on Friday night.

An early goal from striker Lennon Wheeldon was the difference as Derby picked up their first three points of the Premier League 2 season.

Jake Buxton’s side were rewarded for their fast start as Wheeldon latched on to an over-the-top through-ball and dinked a fine effort over Aidan Morris in the Newcastle goal.

Wales youth international Cruz Allen came close to doubling the Rams’ advantage, as he looked to curl an effort into the corner from distance, but the Newcastle goalkeeper got across well to palm his effort away.

The Rams came close to a second minutes after half-time, as Wheeldon got on the end of a Jack Perry cross, but he couldn’t direct his first-time effort goalwards.

The game started to open up around the hour mark, as Newcastle hit the post from a set piece.

At the other end, Wheeldon did superbly and came close to getting his and Derby’s second of the evening, as he outmuscled one defender and skipped past another, but his effort was well saved.

Defiant Derby defending, including an incredible reaction save from Jack Thompson in the final seconds, meant the Rams held on to claim three precious points.

Their attention now turns to the Premier League Cup, where they face AFC Bournemouth on Friday 13th September at Moor Farm Training Ground (7pm kick-off).

Derby County Under-21s: J Thompson (GK), Bardell, Gill, Stepien-Iwumene, Cox (Radcliffe 80), K Robinson, Perry, Hawkins (C), Wheeldon, Allen (Turley 68), Spencer (Moloney 60).

Substitutes Not Used: Shattell (GK), Oguntolu.

Words: Will Stanier.