SAINTS RESERVES took advantage of a huge helping of home defensive generosity to chalk up a thumping Pride Park win last night.

Youngster Leon Best was the beneficiary-in-chief with surely the easiest hat-trick he will ever score, writes JIM WILKINSON.

Reserve team boss Dennis Rofe had Paul Telfer, Peter Crouch and Neil McCann on the park for the duration.

But it was very much the fledglings who caught the eye.

Livewire Best might have added a couple more to his treble while midfielders Martin Cranie and Andrew Surman ran the more experienced Rams ragged while a youthful back four was impressive.

Surman posted a warning in the opening seconds by flashing a shot just wide.

But it only took four minutes for the home side, including out-of-favour former Saint Jeff Kenna, to hand over the initiative.

Ex-Bournemouth favourite Jamie Vincent hit a back pass to highly-rated home keeper Lee Grant but Best reacted to a poor first touch to close down and rob Grant to tap in a simple opener.

Surman and Cranie whistled in efforts and at the other end Alan Blayney was down well to save Adam Bolder's drive.

But Best, denied by Grant rushing out when Craig Richards played a long ball through, profited from more Keystone Kops defending a minute later.

Daniel Martin tried to dribble his way out of the box but Best extended a leg, dispossessed him and calmly slotted past Grant from 12 yards.

Nine minutes from half-time Cranie, who was used by Paul Sturrock in midfield in the pre-season friendly win at Swindon, rose unchallenged to head home from a Telfer corner from the left.

The home side got one back just before the interval, winger Lee Holmes rifling in after the highly-rated Matthew Mills had bravely blocked a Lionel Ainsworth effort but got no luck as the ball spun kindly into Holmes' path.

Surman had an 18-yard effort saved after a Pablo Mills slip let him in.

Then McCann supplied Best with a hat-trick chance but his close-range stabbed volley was too high.

But incrediblyVincent and Grant, trying to deny Best from latching onto a Crouch through-ball, contrived to duplicate their earlier error, Best again able to collect, slip past the keeper and roll home.

McCann blazed over on his weaker right foot after Telfer's long throw found its way to the far post and Cranie and Kyle Critchell further tested Grant's nerve with long-range efforts which he just about dealt with.

Stuart Anderson picked up a silly booking within a minute of coming on as substitute and Blayney dealt capably with a couple of late Derby efforts at a consolation goal.

Coach Denis Rofe commented: "I said before the game we had a decent mix of youth and experience tonight and it worked extremely well for us."