Ben Marshall stepped up his recovery from illness by playing 78 minutes of a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United Under-23s for Norwich City's U23s at Colney this afternoon.

Eastern Daily Press: Nelson Oliveira was in action for City's U23s against Manchester United Picture: ANTONY KELLYNelson Oliveira was in action for City's U23s against Manchester United Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

The winger has missed the last five first-team games due to a stomach bug which caused him to lose weight but stepped up his bid for full fitness as Matt Gill's youngsters continued their Premier League Two campaign.

Out-of-favour senior striker Nelson Oliveira also featured in U23 action again but wasn't able to find the back of the net – as he had in a 2-1 win over Newcastle at Colney the previous Friday – as United edged the Division Two win.

Aidan Barlow scored the decisive goal in the 72nd minute, firing home low inside the area after being teed up by Lee O'Connor, and the young Canaries finished the match with 10 men after Anthony Spyrou picked up a second yellow card with around 10 minutes remaining.

Next Friday brings another PL2 fixture for Gill's development squad, away to Leicester City at the Premier League club's Holmes Park training centre, for a 7pm kick-off.

Eastern Daily Press: NCFC U23 v Man Utd U23.Picture: ANTONY KELLYNCFC U23 v Man Utd U23.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Norwich U23: McCracken, Marshall (Kamal 78), Odusina (C), Jones, Richards, Power, Aransibia, Payne (Scully 82), Spyrou, Oliveira, Idah. Unused subs: Johnson (GK), Coley

Man Utd U23: Kavar, Warren, Williams, Whelan, O'Connor, Buffonge (Griffith 70), Poole (C), Hamilton, Bohui, Dearnley, Barlow. Unused subs: Woolston (GK), Sang, Ercolani, Bears

• Take a look at more of Antony Kelly's photos below

Eastern Daily Press: NCFC U23 v Man Utd U23.Picture: ANTONY KELLYNCFC U23 v Man Utd U23.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Nelson Oliveira was in action for City's U23s against Manchester United Picture: ANTONY KELLYNelson Oliveira was in action for City's U23s against Manchester United Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: NCFC U23 v Man Utd U23.Picture: ANTONY KELLYNCFC U23 v Man Utd U23.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Devonte Aransibia, left, and Adam Idah in action for Norwich U23s against Manchester United Picture: ANTONY KELLYDevonte Aransibia, left, and Adam Idah in action for Norwich U23s against Manchester United Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Devonte Aransibia, left, and Adam Idah in action for Norwich U23s against Manchester United Picture: ANTONY KELLYDevonte Aransibia, left, and Adam Idah in action for Norwich U23s against Manchester United Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Ben Marshall in action for Norwich U23s against Manchester United Picture: ANTONY KELLYBen Marshall in action for Norwich U23s against Manchester United Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Nelson Oliveira in action for Norwich U23s against Manchester United Picture: ANTONY KELLYNelson Oliveira in action for Norwich U23s against Manchester United Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)