A last gasp penalty cancelled out Charles Vernam’s sweet opener as Derby County’s Under 23s drew 1-1 at Mickleover Sports on Friday evening.

The Rams forward struck shortly before the interval in a commanding display, but Broady Litchfield converted from the penalty spot after a second half that was much tighter.

The meeting saw a number of the club’s Under 23 players get more match minutes under their belt – some even gaining 90 – in a physical and competitive fixture.

After being forced to field a largely mixed squad of Under 23s and Under 18s against Vitória de Setúbal in the Algarve six days ago, Darren Wassall got the chance to look at his full squad in action together at the Don Amott Leisure Group Arena.

A big fan of the 4-4-2 diamond throughout the 2015/16 campaign, he also took the opportunity to test a 3-5-2 formation in the process.

The first 45 minutes was largely a story of Derby pushing a probing without applying a clinical touch in front of goal as they carved a number of goalscoring opportunities.

Controlling a lot of the possession, Vernam sent an early warning sign to their non-league hosts as he drove a firm shot into the side netting.

With the young Jack Tolley in goal for the first half, Derby were intent on chancing their arm at every available opportunity with Kyron Stabana, playing at centre back, feeling comfortable enough to make his way forward with the ball and crack a shot well over the crossbar after a quick exchange of passes.

Vernam rifled another low effort inches wide soon after and Emil Riis Jakobsen smacked the foot of the post, before the rebound bounced into Tolley’s grateful arms as the Rams looked to make their pressure count.

With half time looming, Alefe Santos, who has impressed with the first team set-up over the past week, saw a fierce right foot drive tipped over, but the visitors’ persistence paid off with two minutes of the half remaining.

Timi Max Elsnik, wearing the Captain’s armband, did the hard work by winning a tackle on the edge of the area and with the ball loose, Vernam turned and swept an effort well beyond Tolley.

Mickleover, showing a number of changes, returned much stronger in the second half and put Josh Barnes and the Rams’ backline under early pressure, delivering plenty of crosses into the box that were dealt with by Derby’s three man defence or evaded the hosts’ front men.

More of a battle, neither side really crafted a clear opening until the 75th minute when Lewis Walker, a substitute, could only direct a right wing straight at Lewis King from close range.

After two second-year scholars and a first-year scholar in Cameron Cresswell were introduced, Elsnik smacked another opportunity over the bar, but with the game seemingly petering out, the hosts were awarded a penalty with three minutes remaining for a pull in the area.

Litchfield assumed control of the spot kick and comfortably beat Barnes to ensure Mickleover came away from the contest with a draw.

Derby County U23s: Barnes, Stabana (Bateman, 71), Rawson, Cover, Santos, Babos (Guy, 60), Elsnik, Gordon (Edwards, 60), Macdonald (Magno, 71), Vernam (Cresswell, 71), Jakobsen (Walker, 60)

Substitutes not used: Yates

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