Paris Simmons netted for the eighth time this season as the Rams' U18 boys recorded their sixth win from their last seven outings by beating Newcastle United 3-1 on Saturday.

Anthony Robertson's excellent strike on 32 minutes set the ball rolling and Simmons came off the bench - for the injured Robertson - to make it two on the hour.

And although Newcastle pulled one back with 13 minutes to go Derby wrapped it up in stoppage-time through a fine finish by substitute Aaron Dillon, an U16 schoolboy making his debut at U18 level.

Academy manager Kevin Thelwell told www.dcfc.co.uk: "Make no bones about it, Newcastle haven't been performing well this season but you can only beat what is in front of you.

"The boys have - in what was a scrappy game - performed very well and to win 3-1 is a great result.

"That's six wins out of seven now and we're absolutely delighted with that."

The win further cements second place in Group D of the FA Premier Academy League.

Derby now sit two points off leaders Nottingham Forest - who they play away from home this Saturday.

Line-up v Newcastle: Ross Atkins, Alex Forde, Luke Garton, Jack Booth, Jermaine Johnson, Mark Dudley (C), Greg Mills, Mario Loesch, Anthony Robertson (Paris Simmons HT), Robert Ujick (Aaron Dillon 84), Tyron Amory.

Other subs: Jake Kean (GK), Eddie Matthews.