Saints' Under-18s were held in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Norwich at Staplewood on Saturday.

Four goals were shared over the ninety minutes, but surprisingly only one of those came in the first half with the game still goalless after five minutes despite penalties being awarded to either side in the opening exchanges.

Inside the first minute the visitors were given a chance from the spot, but it was blazed over the bar much to Saints' relief.

Dave Puckett's side then had a spot kick of their own when Garyn Preen was hauled down in the area. The winger stepped up to take the penalty himself, but saw his effort from 12 yards kept out by City's 'keeper low to his right.

Undeterred by the miss, the hosts took control of the match and were rewarded for their endeavour when link up play from Aarran Racine and Jordace Holder-Spooner supplied Sam Hoskins with a chance one on one with the 'keeper which he duly dispatched for his eleventh strike of the season to make it 1-0 before half time.

In the second half, Saints continued to create opportunities, but were kept at bay by the form of the visiting 'keeper who drew saves from nearly every outfield player in a red and white shirt to provide a platform for the Canaries to build from.

They equalised with a 25 yard effort which beat Jack Dovey into the top corner, and turned the game on its head moments later with a mazy run and shot which was similarly unplayable for the Saints backline.

Their lead was short-lived however, as Puckett's side struck back almost immediately with a well worked shot from Holder-Spooner. The winger had his first shot blocked, but re-adjusted his feet to find the top corner with a fine strike.

Saints piled on the pressure after their equaliser and their chances were improved when City had a player dismissed for a foul on Preen in the last ten minutes, but the visitors held firm for a draw.

Puckett was pleased with his side's performance which he hopes they will take into next week's trip to league leaders Arsenal.

"We played some of our best football of the season in the first half and tried to capitalise on our advantage by creating more in front of goal, but their goalkeeper has made some good saves throughout the match," he said.

"Next week is all part of the education and we learnt a lot when we played Arsenal earlier in the season so it will be a good test for us."

Saints Under-18s: Dovey, Argent, Racine, Tafazolli, Reeves, Preen, Robinson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Holder-Spooner, Keegan (Isgrove 80), Hoskins.