It's now three games without victory this month for the Magpies second string, and only a rearguard action on a chilly night at Whitley Park kept the final score down to manageable proportions. 

A youthful line-up including numerous Academy players got off to the worst possible start when conceding a goal in the first minute and trailed 0-2 very early on.

And although gifted a goal in first half added time, United made little impression after the break on a superior Rams side and got off lightly by conceding just once more, creating nothing of note at the other end. 

The Rams took the lead after just 35 seconds when Jamie Hanson played in a low free kick from the left flank and Charles Vernam touched the ball home.

That lead was then doubled on seven minutes with the home side a man short - Owen Gallacher off the pitch for treatment - as a Derby corner was eventually headed in by Timi Elsnik.

A rare Newcastle attack after 36 minutes saw Jamie Cobain set away Callum Roberts who worked a shooting chance, only to see his effort cannon off the upright.

But they did manage to reduce the deficit in first minute of added time when a corner fell nicely for Lewis McNall to grab his first U21 goal from close range.

Derby made it 3-1 on 52 minutes when Ivan Calero won his one-on-one with Freddie Woodman and only some wayward finishing - and smart goalkeeping- thereafter prevented a repeat of the six goals they netted in the last meeting. 

There were competitive U21 debuts for Ben Pollock, Owen Bailey and Lewis Gibson - the latter yet to play for the U18s - and a first start for Callum Smith. 

Half of the team were in United's Milk Cup squad in July, while only Callum Roberts had senior team experience - 11 minutes against Leicester City in January 2015.

Biffa