Steve Davies netted a fine double as Derby got their Reserve League Cup campaign underway with a 3-1 victory over Oldham Athletic at Alfreton Town's Impact Arena.

The former Tranmere man netted twice in the early stages of the second period after the Rams had taken command of the game early on.

It was two of the club's younger players who combined to open the scoring just three minutes in as Greg Mills crossed for Paris Simmons to turn the ball home from close-range.

Simmons hit a post in an otherwise quiet first half but the game sparked into more life after the break.

Mills was again involved on 48 minutes as his free-kick was flicked on by Stephen Pearson for Davies to apply the finishing touch.

Mark Dudley fired wide five minutes later before supplying the cross that led to Derby taking a three-goal lead as Davies again scored with a composed header.

Dale Stephens hit the bar for Oldham shortly after the hour-mark, but that only saw Derby race back upfield where a Simmons effort forced visiting keeper bell to fumble the ball against his own crossbar.

Tom Eaves netted a consolation on 84 minutes for Oldham but the points were Derby's and they now go on to face Walsall in their next match in the competition, at the Banks's Stadium, on Wednesday October 8 (7pm kick-off).

The Rams' final group game is at the Impact Arena against Mansfield Town, kicking off at 2pm on Wednesday November 19.

Derby: Stephen Bywater, Alex Forde, Mark Dudley, Andy Todd, Claude Davis (Jack Booth HT), Mitch Hanson, Greg Mills, Stephen Pearson, Paris Simmons (Kamahl Whight 83), Steve Davies, Ryan Connolly.

Substitutes: Jake Kean (GK), Luke Garton, Jeff Hendrick.

Oldham: Bell, Rowney, Byrne, Kalala, Thompson, Dawson, Lee, Chalmers, Eaves, Brooke (Bembo-Leta 82), Stephens.

Substitutes: Kilcourse, Ollerenshaw, Esdale-Biney, Rose.

Attendance: 217.