DERBY County's second friendly of pre-season ended in a goalless draw against Evo-Stik League Northern Premier Division side Ilkeston FC at the New Manor Ground this afternoon.
Derby, like at Matlock on Thursday, fielded two different XIs in each half.
The midfield trio first half was Alban Bunjaku, Jamie Hanson and Scott Allan, a 22-year-old trialist who was released by West Bromwich Albion at the end of last season. Hanson filled the holding role in front of the back four.
Derby had opportunities in the opening 45 minutes but could not find the net.
Johnny Russell, on the right of a front three, curled a free kick narrowly wide, Chris Martin's shot was saved as was a cracking volley from Alban Bunjaku as the Rams pressed early on although they needed Kelle Roos to deny Ilkeston striker Kane Richards, a former youth team player at Derby.
Back came Derby and Jamie Ward's low drive crashed against the near post after clever play by Martin, who then thumped a shot just over before Russell should have scored when through on the keeper but Jordan Smith saved.
Smith also kept out a low effort from Martin and although he had some undertain moments, the Ilkeston keeper kept the Rams at bay.
So many changes at half time - Ilkeston made seven and Derby changed their entire 11 - did not help the flow of the game in the start of the second half but the exercise at this stage of pre-season is about minutes on the pitch and building match fitness.
Rams' new signing Afeles Santos played on the right and 19-year-old trialists Eros Medaglia and Mo Shariff were handed run outs. Medaglia is a right back from Argentina and Shariff a forward who was with Queen's Park Rangers.
Conor Sammon saw his low shot kept out by former Rams keeper Ross Atkins before another trialist was introduced, 18-year-old ex-Peterborough United striker Shaquille McDonald.
Atkins produced an excellent save to deny Tom Naylor from close range although substitute Courey Grantham had a late chance to win it for Ilkeston following an error by the experienced Lee Naylor but Ross Etheridge pushed out the striker's shot.
Naylor picked up an injury in the incident and was replaced by another trialist, 18-year-old former Arsenal defender Arinse Uade.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Ivan Calero, 19, was an unused substitute. He is training with Derby.
ILKESTON FC: Smith (Atkins, 46); Gordon (Baker, 46), Reid (Burrows, 61), Wright (Togwell, 46), Maguire (Smith, 61), R Wilson (Graham, 61), Morgan (Goddard, 61, Johal 78), L Wilson (Bako, 46), Richards (Grantham, 46), Adams (Shaw, 46), Chettle (Hopkinson, 46).
DERBY COUNTY (first half): Roos; Freeman, O'Brien, Buxton, Forsyth; Allan, Hanson, Bunjaku; Russell, Martin, Ward.
DERBY COUNTY (second half): Etheridge; Medaglia, L Naylor (Uade, 88), T Naylor, Rawson, Whitbread, Shariff (McDonald, 78), Lowe, Sammon, Santos (Thomas, 78), Bennett.
Other sub: Calero.
