The Rams boss watched his side stroll into a two-goal lead after just 18 minutes through strikes by Emanuel Villa and Nathan Ellington.

But it was backs to the wall for Derby thereafter as Leeds dominated the remainder of the game.

Luciano Becchio halved the League One side's deficit just before the break and Leeds laid siege to Derby's goal in the second half.

Robert Snodgrass' free-kick hit a post and Roy Carroll produced a fine parrying save to keep out Andy Robinson's close-range effort.

But Jewell's team held on to reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time since 1990.

"After 18 minutes it was one-way traffic and I was wondering how many goals we were going to score," said Jewell.

"I thought I might be able to actually sit back and enjoy a game for once. Every time we went forward we looked like we were going to score.

"But then, give Leeds credit, they absolutely dominated possession and scored a good goal and hit a post. They battered us for 70 minutes.

"I don't know whether we took a step back but the game totally transformed and sometimes as a manager you have to hold your hands up and say they played better than us.

"They will feel aggrieved. We have been fortunate, no doubt, but sometimes you need that in football.

"We rode our luck at times, that's for sure, but we are in the hat for the next round and that is all that matters."

Leeds manager Gary McAllister - United's captain the last time the club reached this stage of the competition in 1995-96, en route to a final defeat by Aston Villa at Wembley - felt his side were not justly rewarded for their best performance of the season.

"I am lost for words really. I passed on my thoughts to the players and I think you can imagine what I was saying to them," said the Scot.

"I am not a massive follower of statistics but they had four attacks and scored twice.

"Our football was good but the last thing I wanted was to have to come out after the game and say we played wonderfully well but we are out, and that is the case and I am disappointed.

"It was the best they played (this season) but it is a cruel game at times and it is about winning."

McAllister added: "I didn't fear the worst at 2-0 down. I think when you are in trouble you have got to show bravery.

"Bravery is not clenching fists and banging into people, it is about getting your players on the ball and going into tight areas to receive the ball.

"We did that and we reverted to form. At 2-0 down we went back to what we do best and that is trying to keep the ball and work our way back into the game.

"That is what impressed me and pleased me the most - our response at 2-0 down."