Gary Twigg's two penalties save the day for the Rams

The Rams took 5 players with first team experience for the game. Andy Oakes was in goal, Steve Elliott, Horacio Carbonari, Deon Burton and Lee Morris making the others.

Stoke where a little upset that Derby had brought along what looked like a strong reserve team. Reports suggest that Stoke had told Derby that they would field a few youngsters, some as young as 15.

The game was only 9 minutes old when the Rams where caught with a bullet header from Lawrence Hunt, giving the Rams keeper no chance as it hit the back of the net.

Derby continued to press with Marcus Tudgay having several chances. The score remained Derby 0 Stoke 1 at half time.

Andy Oakes one of 5 rams players with first team experience

At the start of the second period Gary Twigg replaced Deon Burton. The Rams continued to press forward but couldn’t find the net. It took the Rams till the 80^th minute to get back into the game. A slice of luck as Ryan Hutchinson was adjudged to have handled the ball following a powerful downward header from Steve Elliott. Gary Twigg slotted the ball home to make the scores level with only ten minutes of the game left.

Just two minutes later and the Rams are given a second penalty as Izale McLeod is brought down in the penalty area. Ice cool Gary Twigg again doing the honours for Derby and securing a 2-1 win by converting the penalty kick.

Horacio Carbonari didn’t look too pleased by remaining on the bench for the full 90 minutes.