Two second half goals saw Derby County Under 23s’ Premier League International Cup campaign come to an end with a 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Pride Park Stadium.
Darren Wassall’s side produced a controlled and assured display in the first 45 minutes and deservedly held a two-goal cushion at the interval thanks to a sublime Calum Macdonald free kick and an own goal from Josh Robson in the space of three minutes.Much better in the second half, Sunderland recovered and stole a share of the spoils as Andrew Nelson beat Kelle Roos with a calm finish, before an unfortunate own goal from Cameron Cresswell saw them claim the point that secured their place in the knockout stages of this competition.
The meeting notably saw Mason Bennett make his return to the starting line-up. He played 66 minutes on the left side of the Rams' attack and was particularly influential over the first half.
From the off, the hosts established control over the first 45 minutes and created the best chances. Kellan Gordon forced Max Stryjek into two saves – the first an outstanding dive to tip a vicious shot for a corner.
Bennett also hit the upright after a smart pass from Timi Max Elsnik, but with the half looking destined to be level, Wassall’s side struck twice in three minutes.
Macdonald’s first goal of the season broke the deadlock and it proved to be a belter as he cracked an effort beyond the reach of Stryjek from 25-yards out.
It was then 2-0 on the cusp of added time after a quick free kick routine saw Bennett freed down the left, with his left wing cross being turned into the back of the net and past Stryjek at his near post.
That was the least the Rams deserved, but needing only a point to cement their place in the knockout stages of the Premier League International Cup, Sunderland responded in the second half.
Rees Greenwood had fired two warning signs early on, seeing a shot blocked and another fly over the crossbar before the Black Cats halved the deficit, through Nelson well taken goal after a neat move.
Roos, in his first start for the Under 23s since returning from a loan spell with Bristol Rovers, made a big save to deny Greenwood at his feet and that looked like it had been enough for the Rams to go on and claim the win.
They had chances to extend their lead too. Alex Babos smashed a volley over, whilst Cresswell was denied twice by Stryjek as the clock ticked down – and they proved to be vital stops as the visitors snatched a last-gasp draw.
From a left wing cross, Roos could only get a slight touch as he rushed out of his goal and the ball cannoned off Cresswell and bundled into the back of the net as Derby’s maiden season in the Premier League International Cup ended with a draw.
Derby County U23s: Roos, Cover, Rawson (Bateman, 66), Lelan, Macdonald; Elsnik, Gordon, Babos; Santos, Bennett (Cresswell, 66), Jakobsen (Davidson-Miller, 81)
Substitutes not used: Ravas, Mitchell-Lawson, Bird
Sunderland U23s: Stryjek, J. Robson, T. Robson, Wright (Pybus, 82), Ledger, Brady, Molyneux (Hume, 69), E. Robson, Nelson (Blinco, 76), Lawson, Greenwood
Substitutes not used: Talbot, Yves Poame, Beadling
Attendance: 207
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