Derby County's Under-18s went down 1-0 against Southampton at Moor Farm Training Ground in their second Premier League Cup fixture of the 2022/23 season on Saturday.

Nicholas Oyekunle scored the decisive goal for the visitors in the closing stages of a lively first half to condemn Derby to a second defeat from two outings in the competition, after losing 1-0 to Everton last month in their opening group clash.

Southampton had the game’s first chance in the eighth minute, with Harrison Miles sending his shot from outside the box over the crossbar.

The young Rams then had opportunities of their own as Jack Perry and Lennon Wheeldon saw their efforts go wide of Adli Mohamed’s goal.

Will Merry came close to putting Southampton ahead inside 15 minutes when he hit the woodwork from inside the box.

Derby goalkeeper Joshua Shattell was called into action for the first time in the contest soon after, making a good save to deny Miles.

Rams winger Reece Nicholas-Davies then had his strike tipped onto the woodwork by Mohamed before Harry Hawkins hit the opposite post moments later.

Mohamed made an excellent save with his feet in the 24th minute to deny Wheeldon after Hawkins' pressing had forced the keeper into losing possession.

The Saints went ahead a minute before half-time when Oyekunle slotted into an open net after Shattell had been unable to claim the ball.

Derby then had appeals for a penalty waved away when Nicholas-Davies went down inside the box under the challenge of a Saints defender.

Nicholas-Davies continued to cause problems in the second half as the Rams tried to force an equaliser. He worked his way into the box in the 50th minute, but his effort went off target.

Shattell made a good stop after the hour mark to prevent the visitors from extending their lead before Wheeldon’s header from Billy Gough’s corner was straight at Mohamed.

Southampton looked the most likely to get the game’s second goal, but Shattell did well again to deny Merry and Joe Andrews and the Rams were unable to find an equaliser despite their best efforts.

Jake Buxton’s young Rams will return to Under-18 Premier League - North action when they travel to Newcastle United on Saturday 15th October (1pm kick-off).

Derby County Under 18s: Shattell (GK), Perry, Gough, Hawkins, Robinson (C), Moore, Nicholas-Davies, Fapetu (McAndrew 84), Wheeldon, Ashia (Dixon 65), Osong (Gill 75).

Substitutes Not Used: Price, Simons.

Match Report by Dale Winfield.