Derby County’s Under-18s started their 2023/24 Premier League Cup campaign with a 3-2 home win over Middlesbrough.

Lennon Wheeldon and Jaydan Davidson had the Rams two to the good late in the first half but a quickfire double from Ajay Matthews and Noah Muwana had the sides level at the interval.

Wheeldon failed to convert a penalty early in the second half before Cruz Allen grabbed a dramatic late winner for Derby.

Wheeldon’s opener at Moor Farm came after 13 minutes before Davidson doubled the Rams’ lead with 38 minutes on the clock.

Boro hit back on 44 minutes through Matthews before Muwana drew the visitors level in added time at the end of the opening period.

Wheeldon’s penalty miss came after 56 minutes and the game looked to be ending in a draw before Allen, who has recently been on international duty with Wales at youth international level, struck in the final minute of normal time.

Derby County Under-18s: Shattell (GK), Perry, Gill, McAndrew (Simons 58), Osayande, Keilen, Gough, Allen, Wheeldon, Agustien (Oguntolu 70), Davidson (Tola 46).

Substitutes Not Used: Thompson (GK), Banks.