Derby County’s Under-23s produced a superb second half performance to come from behind and earn a point against Manchester United at St George’s Park.
Devonte Redmond struck from the penalty spot after the impressive Tahith Chong was brought down, but Lewis Walker continued his fine run with an equaliser after the break.
The Rams ended with ten-man after Cameron Cresswell was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
United were in complete control throughout the first half although they did struggle to carve out opportunities early on, with Joe Bateman forced into some good interceptions after the visitors went down the wing.
Midway through the half though, they were rewarded for their patience as Tahith Chong led a sensational break from inside his own half before being brought down by Alex Cover inside the area.
Redmond made no mistake from the spot, firing past Josh Barnes to send United into a deserved lead.
Derby came into the came from that point, and Luke Thomas’ run and pass set up Sven Karic who was arriving at the far post, but the left-back fired high and wide.
Moments later, it was Alex Babos’ chance to go close, with United ‘keeper Kieran O’Hara getting down well at his feet.
After half-time, the Rams really began to knock on the door and Walker forced a good stop from O’Hara at his near post before he bagged the equaliser just four minutes later.
Good interplay down the left-hand side ended with Babos swinging a cross into the box, and Walker was there to guide his header inside the far post to level the scores.
Kyron Stabana went close to putting Derby in front with 67 minutes gone when he forced another good stop, before Bateman shot over from long range.
Another major flashpoint came five minutes later when Cresswell was judged to have handled inside the area as he ran through on goal, and the referee, who was trigger-happy with his cards all afternoon, dismissed the winger for a second bookable offence.
Thomas had a golden opportunity to complete the comeback but another good save from O’Hara kept him out with 15 minutes to go, before Walker’s turn and shot trickled just wide of the target.
Derby County: Barnes; Bogle (Bird, 82’), Wassall, Cover, Karic (Macdonald, 61’); Bateman, Stabana; Cresswell, Babos (Mitchell-Lawson, 90’), Thomas; Walker.
Substitutes not used: Ravas, Taylor.
Manchester United: O’Hara; Riley, Ercolani, Borthwick-Jackson, Olosunde; Whelan, Sang (Traore, 78), Redmond; Chong, Dearnley, Kehinde (Buffonge, 79’).
Substitutes not used: Kenyon, Richardson, Mellor.
Major Moment…
Derby did well to recover after half-time, especially as they were dominated by their opponents for large periods early on.
The move for the equaliser started with Barnes and ended with Walker continuing his strong run of form, when he headed precisely past O’Hara from Babos’ cross.
Who Impressed…
Walker scored four last time out at St George’s Park and although he wasn’t presented with a multitude of chances, he worked hard and took his chance when it came.
His work rate was rewarded when he went his fine header into the far corner to earn Derby a point, which looked unlikely before the break.
What’s Next…
The East Midlands derby is next up for the Under-23s, as they travel to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League Cup on Monday 12th February.
