James Chester returned to the field with 45 minutes for Derby County's Under-21s on Monday night.

The defender stepped up his recovery from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with his first match action since October.

He helped Pat Lyons' side keep Stoke City at bay until half-time at the Loughborough University Stadium, but things unravelled after he was withdrawn.

Three goals in seven second-half minutes from Douglas James-Taylor, Rakealan Jeffers and Jacob Holland-Wilkinson saw the visitors race ahead, before Sonny Blu Lo-Everton pulled one back.

And despite a brief spell of looking like they might fight their way back into the game, the young Rams were left heavily beaten.

James-Taylor doubled his tally before substitute Dara McGuinness added a fifth and Holland-Wilkinson completed his brace late on, earning the visitors a 6-1 Premier League 2 - Division 2 win.

An attritional first period sparked into life shortly after the half-hour, when Kido Taylor-Hart ghosted in from the right wing to force a fine low save out of Stoke keeper Tommy Jackson.

Down the other end, Max Bardell's excellent intervention prevented the Potters from troubling Harry Evans, before Cian Kelly-Caprani dragged an effort wide from just outside the box as the young Rams began to probe.

Taylor-Hart again provided the threat when he got the better of Gabby Adebambo but he took too long over his shot and it was charged down inside the area, meaning a keenly-contested first half ended goalless.

Chester was withdrawn at the interval and replaced by Rhys Brailsford, who was penalised for handball inside the area within a minute of the restart. James-Taylor sent Evans the wrong way from the spot.

Things went from bad to worse for Brailsford when his miscued clearance presented Stoke with possession deep in the Derby half and Jeffers was able to apply a simple finish, doubling the visitors' lead just two minutes after the opener.

And Stoke's free-scoring start to the second half continued on 52 minutes, when Kaurel Reddin got in down the right to cross for Holland-Wilkinson, who finished well. Derby understandably felt aggrieved about the assistant referee's decision not to raise the flag against Reddin, however.

Taylor-Hart set about getting the Rams back into the game and saw an effort deflected into the side-netting, before Lo-Everton scored a fine solo goal to get Derby on the scoresheet.

It took a last-ditch clearance from just in front of the goal line to prevent Taylor-Hart making it 3-2 after his excellent work on the left wing.

But it was Stoke who were next to find the back of the net - not once but twice.

James-Taylor restored the three-goal cushion by putting the telling touch on Sonny Singh's wickedly-delivered free-kick, before McGuinness converted from a yard out after Holland-Wilkinson's knock back across goal.

Holland-Wilkinson himself turned home Reddin's cross in the final minute of the 90 to cap a miserable night for the young Rams.

Derby County Under-21s: Evans (GK), Oduroh, Bardell (C) (Gough 63'), Chester (Brailsford 46'), Grewal-Pollard, Bates, Kelly-Caprani (Hawkins 75'), Taylor-Hart, Lo-Everton, Richards (Perry 83'), Vigar.

Substitutes not used: Roberts (GK)

Stoke City Under-21s: Jackson (GK), Kabeya (Mears 75'), Taylor, Macari (C), Adebambo (Redfern 69'), Reddin, Lewis, Singh, James-Taylor, Holland-Wilkinson, Jeffers (McGuinness 66').

Substitutes not used: Houston (GK), Bickerton