Birmingham City U18s 2, Norwich City U18s 1

Norwich City's Under-18s were edged out in a 2-1 defeat away at Birmingham City despite a dominant second-half performance in the midlands.

Ricky Martin's side started the game brightly, but went behind on the 10 minute mark after Birmingham managed to find a way past David Wooton from a set piece.

The Canaries battled their way back into the match and were rewarded when Theo Jones came up from defence to score following a frantic goal-mouth scramble in the Blues' box.

In the second half City's youngsters were unable to find the clinical finish they needed from numerous chances to take what would have been a deserved lead against a stubborn Birmingham.

In the end it was the Blues who found the goal to seal all three points from the penalty spot, with City's youngsters now turning their attention to Monday's reserve clash with Aston Villa, where a number of them are expected to be involved.

Academy Manager Martin told the club's official website: 'We completely dominated the second half, had three or four proper chances, and we should have taken at least one of those chances.

'It's disappointing in that sense, to have put in a good performance again, but to lose.

'It was frustrating to lose to a penalty in the second half. We just couldn't get that goal we needed.

'They scored first after about ten minutes from a set play, and that's a bit of a weakness of ours at the minute.

'We then came out much better in the second half with the wind behind us and had the better of it, we controlled the game.

'There are lots of games for the lads at the minute, and I'd imagine some of them will be of to Aston Villa with the reserves on Monday, so we need to pick them up and make sure they are ready to go again.

'They will have runs in football where they aren't getting the results even though the performances are there, but it's about how they respond.'