Derby County Under-21s progressed to the semi-finals of the Derbyshire Senior Cup by beating Long Eaton United 2-1 on Monday night.

The Under-21s were managed by coach Keith Briggs in Long Eaton, who took the reins in the absence of Lead Coach Jake Buxton due to illness.

First-half goals from strikers Emmanuel Ilesanmi and Lennon Wheeldon were enough to book the Rams' place in the final four.

The first chance of the game was created by England youth international Wheeldon, as he disposed Lewis King in the Long Eaton goal and played a ball across goal, but nobody was on hand to finish it off.

Derby took the lead in the 37th minute. Wheeldon was bought down in the box and, although Ilesanmi’s spot kick was saved, he was on hand to pounce on the rebound.

Wheeldon doubled Derby’s lead minutes later, again catching a Long Eaton player in possession, this time driving into the box and firing home.

Long Eaton halved the deficit three minutes after the restart, with Connor Pace taking aim and scoring from long-range.

Derby came close to restoring their two-goal advantage five minutes later after Alex Stepien-Iwumene was slipped through by a quick free kick, but his effort was well saved.

The Under-21s weathered a late storm, including a brilliant double save from Josh Shattell, to hold on and secure their place in the semi-final, where they will take on either Buxton FC or Belper Town.

Next up for the Under-21s is a trip to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League Cup on Friday 24th January (7pm kick-off).

Team News

Derby County Under-21s: Shattell (GK), K. Robinson, Moloney, D. Robinson, Cox (C), Canoville, Perry, Hawkins, Ilesanmi, Wheeldon, Stepien-Iwumene.

On The Bench: Evans (GK), K. Gordon, Richards, Agustien, Green.

Words: Will Stanier