A two-week break killed the momentum of Derby's under-18 side ahead of last Saturday's 4-0 defeat away to Bolton Wanderers.

The fortnight's absence came on the back of the Rams' best result of the FA Premier Academy League campaign, a 5-0 thumping of Blackburn Rovers at Moor Farm.

But they were back in action away to the Trotters a week ago and fell to a disappointing defeat.

It's a result that keeps Derby third in Group D of the league with two games remaining but with Bolton bottom of their own section, it was an unexpected heavy reverse.

Bolton opened the game well and found themselves in front early in the first half with a header nodded home after the Rams failed to defend a set-piece.

And when they doubled their lead before the break after reacting first to a loose ball breaking inside the Derby box, the visitors knew they were going to be up against it.

They have shown the ability to recover from difficult situations previously in the season but they weren't given a sniff by a Bolton outfit intent on holding on to their advantage.

Derby disappointed in the first period but they did improve after the break, though without managing to seriously threaten a comeback.

Aaron Dillon (pictured) led the line well and battled hard in a bid to spark something but it wasn't the Rams' day.

Bolton wrapped the points up midway through the second period with another good header and they added some gloss to the scoreline late in the day when they took advantage of a defensive mistake to score their fourth of the morning.

Seventeen-year-old Irishman Jeff Hendrick also performed well at the heart of the Rams' midfield but it was a disappointing way for them to return to action after their two-week absence.

Now the coaching staff are looking for a response from the side in their final two games of the season.

Today, Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Moor Farm in a game that has a little bit of extra spice.

Former Academy boss Kevin Thelwell is now in charge of the youth setup at the Molineux club and many of the Rams' current squad were under his guidance before he left a year ago.

Wolves head across from the Black Country on the back of a 0-0 draw at home to Barnsley and sit comfortably in the middle of Group C, the same section as Bolton.

The season comes to an ultimate close on Saturday May 2 with a visit to Crewe Alexandra to wrap things up.

Derby should still go on to finish third in Group D, which will be a fine achievement for the boys after a rollercoaster of a season that also included an early exit in the FA Youth Cup.

But they will be looking to put right the wrongs of defeat at Bolton and end their campaign on a high note.

Line-up v Bolton: James Severn, Ryan Betts, Andrew Spencer, Jermaine Johnson, Luke Garton, Jeff Hendrick, Greg Mills, Arnaud Mendy, Aaron Dillon, Henrik Ojamaa, Callum Ball.