Derby County Under-21s battled hard but were narrowly defeated by AFC Bournemouth in a 3-2 loss at Alfreton Town’s Impact Arena in the Premier League Cup on Friday night.

An early strike from Ash Clarke gave the visitors the advantage, but goals from Jack Perry and Kei Robinson meant the Rams took a lead into half-time.

The visitors turned things around in the second half through an own goal by Robinson and a Koby Mottoh strike to claim all three points in Group I of the competition.

Clarke cut inside from the left-hand side in the third minute to fire the visitors ahead with a low finish, but Derby levelled on the half hour mark.

Perry met striker Conor Washington’s cutback and at the second time of asking fired the Rams level.

Washington and winger Corey Blackett-Taylor from Paul Warne’s first team squad both featured as they look to build up their match minutes after injury.

Derby took the lead just minutes later, as Robinson picked the ball up on the halfway line, drove forward and took aim from the edge of the box, curling a fine effort into the corner to turn the game on its head.

Goalkeeper Jack Thompson produced a brilliant save from close range from Mottoh to make sure Jake Buxton’s side went into the break ahead.

The visitors equalised early into the second half, as a Mottoh cross was deflected past the helpless Thompson by the unfortunate Robinson.

Bournemouth turned things around on the hour mark as Mottoh cut inside and drove an effort into the far corner to put the Cherries into the lead for the second time on the night.

Derby pushed for an equaliser, and came close through substitute Morten Spencer as his curling free kick was tipped over the bar, but ultimately Jake Buxton’s side were defeated in their opening Premier League Cup group stage match.

The Rams’ Under-21s are back in action on Tuesday 17th September with a trip to Wrexham in the Central League (2pm kick-off), while their next Premier League Cup outing will see them visit Brentford on Monday 21st October (7pm kick-off).

Derby County Under-21s: Thompson (GK), Bardell, Gill, Turley (Allen 10), Cox (Spencer 66), Robinson, Perry, Hawkins (C), Washington, Wheeldon, Blackett-Taylor.

Substitutes Not Used: Shattell (GK), Richards, Moloney.

Words: Will Stanier.