The Under-18's went down to a narrow defeat in East Anglia on Saturday.

The storm like weather conditions which have affected much of the south over the weekend were also on show, as the rain swept through Norfolk.

Despite that backdrop Dave Puckett's side started brightly, and kept their composure in a competitive opening 20 minutes of play where Saints took the lead. A cross on the left from Jordace Holder-Spooner found striker Jordan Keegan inside the area, who was able to strike the ball home on the half volley.

Holder-Spooner and Sam Hoskins went close as they went through on goal in the following forays forward, but City got back on level terms in fortuitous fashion as Lloyd Foot's header inadvertently beat Stephen Mowthrorpe in the Saints goal.

The hosts then took the lead before half time as some hesitancy allowed a cross to reach the far post, where a Canaries forward was waiting to slide the ball in for 2-1.

Although a goal behind going into the break, the visitors flew out of the traps in the second half and controlled much of the play after the interval. Substitute Daryl McLean going close as his volley crashed back off the post with his first shot after replacing Lloyd Isgrove on the right of midfield.

Saints found an equaliser through Callum McNish who showed neat footwork and then struck a long range effort into the net to make it 2-2.

The goal lifted the youngsters who pushed for a winner, but in doing so were caught out on the break with two minutes to play as Norwich scored a winner on the counter-attack.

Afterwards Puckett felt his side were unfortunate to have come away with a defeat.

"We dominated much of the game and gave a good performance, on another day we would have got a result," he said.

With a second round F.A Youth Cup match to come in midweek, the coach used the game as an opportunity to have another look at his squad and says that places are up for grabs in that match.

"We've given everyone an opportunity and we stuck with the same side this week because they deserved another chance. We've certainly not ruled anyone out for the Youth Cup game and we're fully aware of what our players can do."

Saints Under-18's: Mowthorpe, Nicholas, Foot, Harper (Racine 46), Martin, Isgrove (McLean 50), Oxlade-Chamberlain, McNish, Holder-Spooner, Keegan, Hoskins (Preen 60).

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