Derby County’s Under 23s extended their unbeaten Premier League 2 Division 1 run to four games with an impressive 2-0 victory over Southampton on Monday evening.

Five recognised first team players starred for Darren Wassall’s men with Jason Shackell, Andreas Weimann, Chris Baird and Jonathan Mitchell all playing 90 minutes in the win over the Saints.

Max Lowe also stepped up his return to full fitness and played 45 minutes, departing with the hosts 2-0 up at the iPro Stadium.

Weimann himself capped off a workman-like display by opening the scoring, before turning provider as Timi Max Elsnik scored a crucial second goal on the cusp of half time, before the hosts held out to also claim their first clean sheet of the 2016/17 campaign.

Before that, the Rams had crafted a number of opportunities against a young Southampton side in their first game at the club’s main stadium.

Mason Bennett, in particular, forced Harry Lewis into two fine saves with long range efforts whilst Kyron Stabana bent a first time effort over the crossbar after finding himself on the edge of the area following an undetected run.

Before scoring, Elsnik also went close after collecting a smart pass from Lowe on the edge of the area, but on this occasion he could only clear Lewis’ crossbar.

Four minutes later and it was 1-0 – Weimann getting on the scoresheet as he showed great determination to chase down a back pass that lacked weight, but although Lewis beat him to the ball, the goalkeeper cannoned his kick against the Austrian international, which saw the ball bundle into the back of the net.

Callum Slattery imposed himself on the game and looked the visitors’ biggest threat over the course of the game.

He had cracked the woodwork early doors at the iPro Stadium after connecting with Jake Vokin’s cross from the left, whilst Shackell threw his body on the line to block an effort shortly after the half hour mark.

The visitors hit the crossbar for a second time in the first half too as Josh Sims clattered another header against the woodwork as Jonathan Mitchell’s goal survived once more.

With half time looming, however, Wassall’s men scored a decisive second goal as Elsnik and Weimann combined superbly – resulting in the latter being sent through on goal and finishing a low shot with his weaker right foot into the far bottom corner.

The second half was more about Derby seeing the contest out as they bossed larger spells of possession.

There was the odd chance along the way too. Kellan Gordon forced Lewis into a save from an acute angle after Weimann had been crowded out, whilst Farrend Rawson could only header over the crossbar after Stabana looped a dangerous header into the six-yard box.

Southampton had a couple of half chances later on as Thomas O’Connor cleared the crossbar with a wild first time effort, whilst Tyreke Johnson’s ambitious effort also flew harmlessly over.

The excellent Charles Vernam, playing in a deeper midfield role, had the last effort of the contest – shooting from range, but on this occasion it drew a simple save from Lewis as the Rams easily saw the meeting out to claim their second win in four Premier League 2 games.

Derby County U23s: Mitchell, Stabana, Lowe (Santos, 46), Baird, Rawson, Shackell, Gordon (Guy, 71), Elsnik, Bennett, Vernam (Walker, 87), Weimann

Substitutes not used: Lelan, Ravas

Southampton U23s: Lewis, Jones, Vokins, Reed (Rowthorn, 14), Stephens, Gardos, Willard (Afolabi, 80), O’Connor, Johnson, Slattery, Sims

Substitutes not used: Bakary, Parkes, Mdlalose

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