Norwich City's Under-18 Premier League Academy side suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Southampton on Saturday. Despite having the lion's share of the play in the second half, Norwich were unable to get back on level terms with the visitors, who had taken the lead after just 12 minutes.

Norwich City's Under-18 Premier League Academy side suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Southampton on Saturday.

Despite having the lion's share of the play in the second half, Norwich were unable to get back on level terms with the visitors, who had taken the lead after just 12 minutes.

City made a bright start with the Saints' defence having to block a shot from Kris Renton after good work by Chris Martin.

Canaries keeper Steve Arnold was quickly off his line to save at the feet of giant striker, Cedric Baseya, while at the other end Renton was denied, his header being saved by Southampton keeper Matej Jones.

After 12 minutes, the visitors took the lead after Gareth Matthews had blocked a shot from Baseya and with the ball falling kindly for Lloyd James, who fired the ball into the far corner.

Straight from the restart City had the opportunity to draw level when Martin was clean through but his effort was comfortably saved by Jones.

Damon Lathrope called Jones into action yet again, this time a 25-yard effort from the City midfielder was turned round the post and from the resulting corner City thought they had drawn level when Renton headed the ball home only for referee Mr George to blow for a foul on the Saints keeper.

The lively Jordan Yong, starting his first home game of the season, saw a shot saved while Jamie Eames pulled his shot wide after good work again by Martin.

City defender Paul McLean was quickly into action at the start of the second half, blocking a shot from Baseya, while at the other end Jones scampered across his goal as Lathrope sent a shot just wide.

Renton will feel he should have done better when he sent a header over the crossbar from an Eames cross while Martin then went close on two occasions - the first with a shot that deflected wide, and the second saw Jones make a good save to deny the City striker.

David Williams introduced Seb Muddel and Luke Daley into the attack but it was the visitors who almost extended their lead when Oscar Gobera headed over from just six yards.

Norwich City: Arnold, Matthews, O'Toole, McLean, Quaye, Bexfield, Eames (Daley, 77), Lathrope, Renton, Martin, Yong (Muddel, 77). Subs (not used): Smart, Miller.

Southampton: Jones, Argent, Page, Byrne, Thomson, Hatch, De Carvalho (White, 45), Gobera, Baseya, James (Lancashire, 25), Noble (McLaggon, 77). Sub (not used): Patterson. Norwich City MoM: Alvin Quaye.