Under-18s: Derby v United

Substitute Jim Thwaites equalised in stoppage time with a stunning strike, after Derby captain Luke Banks looked to have given the hosts three points with a towering header midway through the second half. 

Jack Kingdon volleyed home to level for United in the first half, after Cruz Allen's low strike put the Rams ahead after three minutes. 

Adam Lawrence's team may have dropped points for the first time this season but it was another useful learning experience for his young Reds against a competitive opponent. 

United suffered an early setback at Moor Farm when Allen fired a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner from around 22 yards to put the hosts ahead in the third minute.

Derby's no.10 had another shooting opportunity inside the box soon after but fired straight at Reds keeper Thomas Myles, who later raced out to the feet of Demiane Agustien to push the ball away.

The young Reds responded and levelled matters in the 25th minute. Kingdon volleyed into the top corner from Gabriele Biancheri’s flick from the edge of the box, after Derby initially cleared the danger from a corner, as the centre-back scored for the second successive match.

James Scanlon then curled a free-kick over the crossbar as United grew into what was a closely-fought contest against a physical Derby team.

As Derby enjoyed a strong spell once play resumed after the break, Johnson Osong cut inside on his right foot and brought a save from Myles with a low effort.

The hosts took advantage of being on top and regained their lead in the 67th minute as defender Banks met a corner with a firm header to make it 2-1. 

Myles was alert on two separate occasions to thwart Rams forward Justin Oguntolu, first with a glancing header and then in a one-on-one situation, before Derby struck the woodwork through Adisa Osayande.

As the action swung from end to end in the East Midlands rain, Victor Musa hit the crossbar for the Reds from a Harry Amass set-piece and Amass later fired the ball over from close range from a Thwaites cross.

But in the 92nd minute, substitute Thwaites curled a stunning left-footed strike into the corner past Derby keeper Harley Price to salvage a point for a battling young United side.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Myles; Kamason, Munro, Kingdon, Amass; Devaney, McAllister (c) (Armer 75); Musa, Baumann (Thwaites 71), Scanlon; Biancheri.

Subs not used: Trialist, Byrne-Hughes, Abdoulaye.

Goals: Allen 3, Banks 67 | Kingdon 25, Thwaites 90+2.

Booked: Devaney.