MIDDLESBROUGH, England (Interstat) — Middlesbrough U21 and Derby County U21 played to a 1-1 draw on Monday in an under-21 competition match, with a late equalizer wiping out Derby County U21’s second-half lead.

Middlesbrough U21 controlled much of the early possession but could not turn it into a breakthrough. Derby County U21 defended in numbers and looked to counter. The first half produced more bookings than clear chances. Middlesbrough U21’s Cole C. was cautioned in the 17th minute. In the 38th minute, Middlesbrough U21’s Ibeh C. and Derby County U21’s Jones F. were both shown yellow cards. Derby County U21’s Hodges D. was booked in the 45th minute, and Middlesbrough U21’s Patterson-Powell R. received a yellow card in the 56th minute. Neither side found the net before the interval, and the bookings disrupted the rhythm of a tight first half.

The game opened up after halftime. Derby County U21 made the first substitution of the match in the 46th minute, bringing on Gordon I. Middlesbrough U21 followed with Tika-Lemba E. in the 49th minute. Derby County U21’s Davidson J. came on in the 64th minute. The visitors then found the goal that changed the contest. Sean Corry scored for Derby County U21 in the 71st minute, giving his side a 1-0 lead. Corry had been active throughout and finished with 72 minutes played and one goal. Derby County U21 replaced Corry in the 72nd minute, shortly after his goal. The substitutions gave both sides fresh legs as the match moved into its final quarter.

Middlesbrough U21 pushed for a response and made two changes in the 77th minute, with Cole C. and Johnson B. entering the match. Derby County U21 made another substitution in the 89th minute, replacing Hodges D. Middlesbrough U21’s pressure finally told in the 88th minute when Micah Hamilton scored the equalizer. Hamilton played the full 90 minutes and finished with one goal. The goal rescued a point for Middlesbrough U21 and denied Derby County U21 a victory after Corry’s opener. Derby County U21 tried to protect its advantage, but Middlesbrough U21 kept pressing for an equalizer.

The draw left Derby County U21 with one win, one loss and one draw in this competition. Derby County U21’s record across all competitions is now one win, five losses and one draw. Middlesbrough U21 is now without a win in this competition, with no wins, two losses and one draw. Middlesbrough U21’s record across all competitions stands at one win, three losses and one draw. Derby County U21 had entered the match after a mixed run of results, including a win over Birmingham U21 and losses to Wealdstone, Hull U21, Norwich U21, Scunthorpe and Brentford U21. Middlesbrough U21 had beaten Valencia B in its previous match but had also lost to Tottenham U21, Boreham Wood and Everton U21 earlier in the season.

Both sides had chances to win it late. Derby County U21’s lead lasted until the 88th minute, when Hamilton found space and finished. Middlesbrough U21 could not find a winner in the remaining minutes. The match ended with a point apiece and neither team able to improve its position in the competition table. The late goal capped a tense finish and left both teams with a share of the points.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Middlesbrough U21 2, Derby County U21 2. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Middlesbrough U21 with an 82.7 percent probability to win. Middlesbrough U21 had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 2 went over the over/under line of 3.5.