3/1 To Win
Derby County Under-21s let a two-goal lead slip before falling to a 3-2 defeat against Burnley in the Central League Cup Final.
The Rams took the lead in the seventh minute at Pride Park Stadium and doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time through Niall McAndrew.
They were immediately pegged back when Murray Campbell showed good reactions to turn home a rebound but Jake Buxton's side went into half-time ahead.
Burnley got themselves level just after the hour - with Joe Westley making it two apiece - and, inside the final ten minutes, the visitors completed the turnaround through Benn Ward.
Burnley claimed the first opening of the evening when forward Westley got in behind the Derby defence and found himself in space inside the area. He struck across goal with his left foot, and it took an excellent sliding challenge from Ben Radcliffe to get just enough on the shot to take it marginally wide of Harry Evans' far post.
But moments later, Derby were ahead through Trialist B. Riley Moloney was afforded bags of time 30 yards from goal, and he picked out the striker's run with a lovely, weighted, reverse pass into the area. He made no mistake, firing low across goal and into the bottom corner, giving visiting keeper Charlie Casper no chance.
It could have been two with 15 minutes played, when McAndrew carried down the left wing before whipping in a dangerous cross. A defensive touch sent it back towards the Burnley goal but Casper reacted brilliantly to dive to his right and push the ball away.
Chances were few and far between as the first half went on, with Burnley's Lewis Richardson having the next sighter on 35 minutes but sending his free-kick over the wall and over the crossbar from just outside the box.
Trialist B could have doubled his and Derby's tally just before the break, but was denied by an excellent save by Casper at point-blank range when he received the ball in space in the visitors' area.
But the Rams would indeed have a second before half-time and it came from McAndrew inside four additional minutes.
He was left with space to run into inside the Burnley half and duly obliged, carrying the ball into the area before showing clever footwork to create the angle for a shot.
However, the two-goal cushion didn't last long. Evans was beaten to a free-kick delivered from the right flank and, although the initial header came back off the crossbar, Campbell was on hand to convert the rebound.
The second half took a while to spring into life, but a golden chance went Derby's way on the hour mark.
Moloney's surging run from left back carried him into the Burnley box and he picked out McAndrew in space with his cutback. He composed himself before looking to convert his second of the evening, but his low shot was straight at Casper who made a strong stop and held on well.
The missed chance would prove costly, with the visitors restoring parity on 63 minutes. Westley was picked out in space by Tommy McDermott and applied a calm finish beyond Evans.
With 20 left to play, Trialist B won possession back in the Burnley half before driving towards goal and striking wide from 20 yards as Derby looked to regain the lead.
Alex Healy-Byrne whistled an effort narrowly wide after a corner was initially cleared, with Burnley also chasing the winning goal.
And it would be the visitors who'd find the target next. On 82 minutes, Ward got up excellently to meet McDermott's corner at the back post and loop a header beyond Evans to turn the tie on its head.
Darren Robinson saw a powerful, goalbound volley blocked as the clocked ticked towards 90 but, despite five additional minutes, Buxton's side couldn't find an equaliser and were left watching the Clarets lift the trophy.
Derby County Under-21s: Evans, Bartley (Hawkins 88'), Moloney, Robinson (C), Radcliffe, Cox, Trialist A (Nto 63'), Allen (Wheeldon 63'), Trialist B, Stepien-Iwumene, McAndrew (Trialist C 79').
Subs not used: Thompson (GK).
Burnley Under-21s: Casper, Healy-Byrne, Ashton,Ward, Campbell, Hugill (C), Richardson (Mottoh 62'), McDermott (Franics-Burrell 90+4'), Westley, Tweedy (Parker 90+2'), Bevan (Soccoliche 62').
Subs not used: Moss.
