An extremely young Derby side earned plenty of credit despite going down 2-0 at Fulham on Tuesday evening.

The home team included no less than seven full internationals against a Rams line-up consisting of purely teenagers but couldn't break through until the hour-mark.

Before then, Derby could have gone in front through Mark Dudley and Matt Richards as they opened the second half well.

Russian international Alexey Smertin opened the scoring on 55 minutes with a crisp finish from the edge of the box after a mazy run by Seol.

Then it was time for first-year Academy goalkeeper Jake Kean, who had earlier saved well from Hameur Bouazza, to show his ability with three fine blocks in succession from David Healy.

And on 66 the home side doubled their lead with Smertin, Healy, Seol and Bouazza all involved to give Michael Timlin the chance to wrap the scoring up.

But Derby's youngsters never gave up and presented a good account of themselves in the final equation with a performance of grit and determination.

They will be able to take plenty from playing against a side packed with experience.

Fulham: Keller, Omozusi, Baird, Bocanegra, Kallio, Seol, Timlin, Elliott, Bouazza, Smertin, Healy.

Subs: Etheridge (GK), Ashton, Thompson, Anderson, Ehui.

Derby: Jake Kean, Alex Forde, Mark Dudley, Jack Booth, Miles Addison, Mitch Hanson, Greg Mills, Matt Richards, Anthony Robertson, Paris Simmons, Tyron Amory (Henrik Ojamaa 87).

Subs: James Severn (GK), Matthew Mainwaring, Jermaine Johnson.