Derby County Under-21s were edged out by Stoke City in an eight-goal thriller in Premier League 2 at the bet365 Stadium on Friday night.


Keith Briggs’ side took up a winning position in the second period after fighting back to make it 3-2 from a two-goal first-half deficit - but a late turnaround from the hosts saw the match flipped on its head once more as Stoke took all three points in the Potteries.

Ryan Mmaee’s 12th minute strike and Emre Tezgel’s goal ten minutes later saw Stoke take the lead, but a double from Rams striker Lennon Wheeldon levelled the game heading into the half-time break.

Derby took the lead in the 70th minute through midfielder Owen Eames, but the match’s fast pace continued, with Tezgel equalising from the penalty spot just two minutes later.

The Stoke striker netted again in the 80th minute and cemented the result deep into added time with his fourth goal of an exhilarating encounter in Premier League 2.

The Under-21s will return to action on home turf at Moor Farm Training Ground next week when they face Chesterfield in The Central League on Thursday 20th March (1pm kick-off).

Team News

Derby County Under-21s: Evans (GK) (C), Turley, Moloney, Tola, Osayande (Canoville 83), K Robinson, Allen (Oguntolu 83), D Robinson, Wheeldon, Eames (Ilesanmi 76), Agustien.

Substitutes Not Used: Shattell (GK), Stepien-Iwumene.