Derby County earned their place in the totesportcasino.com Reserve League Cup final with a 3-1 victory over Grimsby Town on Wednesday afternoon.

The Rams saw off their visitors at Alfreton Town's Impact Arena after coming from behind - though they had the game wrapped up by half-time.

Liam Davis had put the visitors in front with 12 minutes on the clock as he flicked his shot neatly over Lewis Price.

But Derby were level five minutes later when Przemyslaw Kazmierczak, playing at centre-half, headed the ball clear to Nathan Ellington.

The Duke then fed Tito Villa, who still had a lot to do but shrugged off three Grimsby challengers before reaching the penalty area and firing his shot home.

Three minutes before the interval Ellington was involved again when he laid the ball out wide on the right to Luke Varney, whose low cross was turned in at the near post by Josh O'Keefe.

And in stoppage-time the Rams were comfortable as Ellington got his name on the scoresheet with a powerful header from another Varney cross.

Stephen Pearson in action against Grimsby. Picture by Andy Clarke

Derby had the game won and rarely looked in any danger after the break as they cruised towards a place in the final against either Accrington Stanley or Sunderland.

Varney could have extended their advantage, while O'Keefe also performed well, and the Rams were able to introduce three Academy products on the hour.

Rams: Price, Beardsley, Hanson, Kazmierczak, Dudley, Varney, Mendy, O'Keefe, Pearson (Mills 61), Villa (O'Brien 61), Ellington (Ojamaa 61).

Other sub: Atkins (GK).

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