Three academy graduates found the net as Derby County kicked off a back-to-back pre-season friendly weekend with a 3-1 win at Mansfield Town.

Dajaune Brown, Charlie Smith and Cruz Allen were all on target as the Rams put in a strong display to defeat their League One hosts.

Smith and Allen both struck in the second-half after honours had been even following a first 45 minutes in which Dajaune Brown’s 20th-minute opener was cancelled out by Stags’ striker Michael Smith.

With the Rams also in action at Burton Albion in the Bass Charity Vase less than 24 hours later, boss John Eustace split his resources. Six Academy graduates started, alongside experienced heads including Norwegian duo Sondre Langås and Lars-Jørgen Salvesen.

Key Moments

Derby had tasted the first sight of goal, but Smith’s left-footed deflected effort failed to test Stags’ keeper Harry Lewis.

Moments later, however, the visitors went ahead. Owen Eames’ pass into midfield was flicked forward by Allen. The Wales Under-19 international nicked the ball ahead of his man and released Salvesen on the right.

The striker glanced up and unselfishly fed the ball to Brown who found a confident finish to fire the Rams in front.

But the lead was to last just nine minutes as Mansfield levelled through Smith. The veteran forward cut onto his left foot and planted a shot across Josh Vickers and into the corner of the net.

It took a smart save as the first half drew to a close to keep the Rams on level terms going into the break. The ‘keeper stood up well to block David McGoldrick’s shot after the striker had broken clear of the backline.

After the restart, the woodwork came to Derby’s rescue as Mansfield were quickly onto the front foot. A corner swung over from the left was met at the far post by Smith but this time he could only divert the ball onto the crossbar.

Back came the Rams, and Eames – who provided the impetus for a number of Derby’s best attacks – fed Salvesen whose strong shot was parried to safety by Lewis.

McGoldrick then forced Vickers into a smart stop before a sustained period of pressure down the Stags’ left flank ended with Smith with the ball at his feet on the edge of the area. The youngster kept his cool, slotting into the bottom corner to restore the visitors’ lead.

Eustace introduced Corey Blackett-Taylor from the bench on the hour, and his first contribution of note ended with Derby grabbing their third in the 70th minute.

His cross from the left was controlled by Allen and the youngster then swept home a left foot shot with a minimum of fuss to secure the victory.

Teams

Derby County: Vickers (Price 87’), Nyambe, Langås (Osayande 60’), Canoville, Gill; Smith (Hodges 86’) Goudmijn (Myers 87’); Brown, Allen (Wren 86’), Eames; Salvesen (Blackett-Taylor 60’).

Unused subs: O’Donnell.

Attendance: 5,363 (1,336 Rams’ supporters).

Next Fixture

Derby are straight back to action on Saturday, taking on Burton Albion for the Bass Charity Vase at the Pirelli Stadium (3pm kick-off).