The Under-18's went down to a 2-0 defeat to Leicester at Staplewood on Friday.

City are enjoying an unbeaten season, but were pushed all the way by the hosts who were undone by two second half counter-attacking goals from the Foxes.

After a slow start, Saints asserted their tempo on the match as they moved the ball around well and at pace which frustrated a powerful visiting team.

Forwards Garyn Preen and Sam Hoskins were amongst the thick of the action in the final third and were unfortunate not to register a goal before Leicester went in front on the hour mark, with a run and shot from the left which beat Saints 'keeper Jack Dovey into the far corner.

Dave Puckett's side went to hit back but were caught out inside the quarter of an hour's play when a long range shot was pushed on to the left hand post by Dovey, but fell kindly for a blue shirt to follow it in to seal a win for the visitors.

Despite the loss, Under-18's coach Puckett was far from despondent.

"I was pleased with the way that we stood up to them," he explained. "We approached it in the right way and gave a positive performance keeping our concentration and work ethic throughout.

"Their goals were clinical finishes and the 'keeper put in a good display to keep us out."

Saints Under-18's: Dovey, Argent, Racine, Tafazolli, Reeves, McLean, Robinson, Keegan, Holder-Spooner (Isgrove 75), Preen, Hoskins.