The Under-18s kicked off the campaign with a 2-2 draw against Stoke City at Staplewood on Saturday.

Jason Dodd's team faced a tricky opening game against the Potteries side, but put in a strong overall performance, and could consider themselves unfortunate not to have secured an opening day win.

The hosts certainly flew out of the traps, and were in front on 10 minutes through striker Tony GARROD, who was recently named on the bench for the first team's Carling Cup match against Bournemouth. He showed good control on the edge of the area here, before burying a low shot into the bottom corner to give Saints an early advantage.

Dodd's side stepped up the pressure with wingers Lloyd Isgrove and Jordace Holder-Spooner instrumental on either side throughout the game.

On 25 minutes Lloyd Foot headed over the bar, and with the home side largely on top, it was a surprise to see Stoke equalise ten minutes before the break as a mis-hit volley across goal deceived Jack Dovey and ended up in the back of the net to level the scores going into the interval.

A disappointing start to the second half was compounded inside the first minute of action as a corner from the visitors went straight in, giving City an undeserved lead shortly after the re-start.

The character of the young Saints showed through though, and an equaliser duly arrived from the head of one of the smallest players on the field as ISGROVE rose above the defenders to glance home from a set piece.

A winner looked on the cards for the hosts, but late chances from Andy Robinson and Jake Sinclair somehow stayed out, with the former's hitting the post with five minutes remaining.

Dodd was pleased with the way that his youngsters had put into practice everything that they have been working on in pre season.

"We asked them to lay in a certain way and they all responded," he affirmed. "They got the ball down, controlled most of the game and deserved to win, but were just unfortunate at the end."

Saints Under-18s: Jack Dovey, Matt Young, Lloyd Foot, Ben Martin, Conor O'Sullivan, Andy Robinson, James Ward-Prowse, Lloyd Isgrove, Jordace Holder-Spooner, Jake Sinclair, Tony Garrod.