The B Team found a more experienced Mansfield line-up too strong to suffer a second Central League defeat of the season.
The Stags included more than half-a-dozen players who have featured in the first-team this season and duly extended their unbeaten record to stay second in the table.
The home side shared the goals between Dom Dwyer, Oliver Irow and Joe Gardner, who have all netted in League One for Nigel Clough’s side this season.
Wanderers pulled a goal back from the penalty spot through Deashon Lawrence before conceding a fourth and might have conceded more but for an excellent performance from youth team goalkeeper Luke Lomax.
“It’s never nice to lose but it was a good experience and really good test for our players,” said B Team boss Andy Taylor.
“There were a couple of individual errors because of the level we were playing against but the lads kept battling away and competing.
“I’d rather play in these games against strong sides. There were some good individual performances and the best way to learn is to come up against players from a higher level and hopefully this will stand our boys in good stead for next time.”
The B Team returns to action next Tuesday when they face local rivals Wigan Athletic, with a place in the semi-finals of the Central League Cup up for grabs.
Wanderers: Lomax, Smith, Grayson (Tutte), O’Neill, Irwin, Mawditt, Adesina, Kirkpatrick, Ritchie, Lawrence, Taylor (Lewis).