The scholars put up a valiant fight but could do little to prevent Nelson Aideyan powering home a header after a quarter hour before Rayo Fapetu doubled the lead eight minutes before the break.

Substitute Ewan Baines halved the deficit just before the hour and late dominance nearly forced an equaliser but County held on - just - to seal a date with either Burton Albion or Sheffield Wednesday in the second round.

With scalps against Long Eaton United, Lincoln United and Notts County – among others – under their belt, the youngsters hosted the Young Rams in good form after a win over Newcastle United last time out.

Expectedly, the only category one team at this stage of the competition took control from the off and had a host of chances – all saved by Dan Morledge in the home goal – before Aideyan bulleted a fine header beyond the ‘keeper for a 15th minute opener.

Fapetu poked just wide after good wing play down the left by Johnson Osong before Lennon Wheeldon – County’s talisman – scuffed an effort beyond the post minutes later but was adjudged to have handled in the build-up.

Looking to hold out to the half, Basford’s firm resolve was finally broken for a second time when a low cross down the right was turned home by Fapetu.

Wheeldon then headed straight at Morledge and there was a rare glimpse for those in Amber when Tyler Dacres and Harvey Ridgley combined but failed to trouble an otherwise undeterred Harry Evans in the Derby goal.

Coming out for the second period on top, a deuce of substitutions changed the tide of the game.

Faris Sidahmed’s willing run forced a corner and from the resultant set piece Baines bundled home past Evans and the scholars were deservedly within one.

From there, they were on top and ever-the-dangerman Lui Bull – quiet in the first half – had two excellent chances when he twice found himself in behind a static County defence.

Firstly, he was just about dispossessed by Aideyan before a snapshot on the volley was easy for Evans who had elected to resort to calming his troops.

Relentless late pressure had their U-18 Premier League visitors - who face Chelsea next up in the league - well on the ropes as balls into the box aplenty continued to cause mass panic.

Sidahmed won a late free-kick, which was frantically cleared, but confusion between Evans and Aideyan yielded a long throw from Billy Gillies which was toed behind for a corner.

The forward nearly found himself in behind again but referee called halt to the ongoing attack due to an injury before the last event of a dominant second period fell to Gillies who sliced well wide as County progressed, drawing a huge sigh of relief at the full-time whistle.

UNITED: Morledge; Saane (Baines 57’), Joyce, Hawkins, Muir (c), Ridgley; Gillies, Rowe (Sidahmed 57’), Dacres (Deavin 84’), Coke; Bull
SUBS (not used): Fuller, Carnelly, Francis, Osbourne (GK)

ATT: 457