Derby County’s Under-21s fell to a 4-0 defeat at Stoke City on Monday evening in their latest Premier League 2 - Division 2 outing.

Emre Tezgel’s pair of early goals had Pat Lyons’ youthful side facing an uphill battle before second half strikes from Nathan Lowe and Dara McGuinness rounded off a tough night for Derby at Clayton Wood Training Ground.

Tezgel opened the scoring after only four minutes to put the Rams on the back foot. A corner into the Derby box wasn’t cleared and, after a goalmouth scramble, the forward found the net from close range.

Another corner saw Stoke double their lead after 13 minutes. This time a deep delivery to the far post saw Tezgel rise highest to head into the back of the net beyond Rams goalkeeper Harry Evans.

Lowe lashed in the Potters’ third just after the hour mark to round off a flowing move before McGuinness hit their fourth late on with a composed finish.

Derby’s Under-21s are not in league action again until the visit of Southampton to Loughborough University Stadium on Monday 5th December (7pm kick-off).

Before then, they face Brighton & Hove Albion on home turf on Friday 18th November (7pm kick-off) and Queens Park Rangers away from home on Monday 28th November (7pm kick-off) in their latest Premier League Cup matches.

Derby County Under-21s: Evans (GK), Brailsford, Kelly-Caprani, Clarke, Kavanagh, Solomon, Hawkins (Sebagabo 74), Bates, Cybulski (C), Nunn (Wheeldon 86), Ibrahim.

Substitutes Not Used: Burton, Roberts (GK), Aideyan.