Derby County Under-21s were beaten 3-1 by Southampton Under-21s on Friday evening.
Dajaune Brown scored for the young Rams but goals from Will Armitage, Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Kami Doyle ensured it was the visitors taking home the three points.
The first effort of the game went the young Rams' way and only a superb save from Ollie Wright denied Cian Kelly-Caprani from putting Pat Lyons' side in front.
Derby were punished for not taking that chance within a minute as Armitage rose highest from a corner to head into the top corner and make it 1-0 Saints.
The young Rams responded well and had a good chance to level when Kido Taylor-Hart stood one up for Dajaune Brown but the striker couldn't get enough on his header to trouble Wright.
Up the other end and Harry Hawkins did brilliantly to get back and hook one off the line to ensure the game remained 1-0.
The second-half started incredibly slowly but burst into life after 57 minutes. Amo-Ameyaw beat the offside trap before firing low past Evans to double the visitors' advantage and give the Rams a mountain to climb.
But Derby responded instantly when Riley Moloney did well down the left and crossed for Brown who poked home to half the deficit within two minutes.
Only a superb finger-tip save denied Jack Bates from making it 2-2 direct from a free-kick as Lyons' side pushed for an equaliser.
Evans then had to be at his best up the other end when his fantastic stop from close-range kept the young Rams in it.
Derby continued to search for the equaliser but left themself open at the back and were punished in the last minute. Doyle beat the offside trap by the finest of margins before bearing down on goal and slotting under the on-rushing Evans.
The Teams
Derby County Under-21s: Evans (GK), Perry, Moloney, Bates, Chester (C), Hawkins (Oseni 83), Taylor-Hart, Fapetu (Davidson 46), Brown, Kelly-Caprani, Vigar.
Substitutes Not Used: Brailsford, Roberts (GK), Gough.
Southampton Under-21s: Wright (GK), Payne, Meghoma, Hewlett, Bragg (Squires 83), Robinson (Ross-Lang 84), Stepien-Iweumene, Doyle (C), Dibling (Merry 65), Amo-Ameyaw (Carson 90).
Substitutes Not Used: Hall.
