A young Derby County side kicked off their pre-season schedule by recovering from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Belper Town at Christchurch Meadow.

A young Derby County side kicked off their pre-season schedule by recovering from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Belper Town at Christchurch Meadow.

Kacper Piechniak, one of two trailists on show, lashed in two fine strikes to get the Rams, which a mix of the club's Under 21 and Under 18 players, back on level terms after they had fallen two goals down to the Evo-Stik League First Division South outfit.


Belper took advantage of their bright starts to each half to build up a two-goal advantage. 


After Scott Matthews saw a close-range effort cleared off the line from Michael Towey’s cross, Paul Lister struck the home side in front with a low left foot shot on 13 minutes after the Rams failed to clear their lines from a corner.


Paul Watt doubled Belper’s lead three minutes after the interval as Lister added an assist to his goal with a hook across the six-yard area that was turned in by Watt at the far post.


Shaquille McDonald saw a close range effort ruled out for offside seven minutes before the break, but Derby did get on the score sheet shortly after going two goals behind through Piechniak.


The Polish forward picked possession up from range and hit a sublime low drive beyond the outstretched Dan Haystead as the Rams began to turn the screw on their opponents.


Wassall’s men saw another effort chalked off for offside shortly after the hour after the impressive Offrande Zanzala converted Tom Koblenz’s inswinging free kick from the right as the visitors piled on the pressure.


Zanzala glanced another header wide before Haystead denied Kyron Stabana and Bennett with close range strikes as he continued to keep the Rams at bay.


With just over 10 minutes remaining, Max Lowe turned a drive from the left over the bar, but with time ticking away Piechniak, similar to his first goal, lashed a strike beyond Haystead after the ‘keeper had initially denied Zanzala.


Derby County U21s First Half: Mitchell, Tuite, Lowen, Wassall, MacDonald, Guy, Bunjaku (Bennett, 34), Vernam, McDonald, Santos, Thomas


Derby County U21s Second Half: Morch, Stabana, Lowen, Cover, Lowe, Koblenz, Elsniik, Gordon, Piechniak, Zanzala, Bennett


Other substitutes: Harry Goode


Attendance: 700


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