Southampton U-18 2, Norwich City U-18 2: Two missed penalties, a sending-off and four goals marked the belated resumption of the young Canaries' FA Premier Academy League season.

Southampton U-18 2, Norwich City U-18 2

Two missed penalties, a sending-off and four goals marked the belated resumption of the young Canaries' FA Premier Academy League season.

The game on a sodden pitch at Staplewood went ahead only after a 7.30am inspection.

In City's first attack in the opening minute, Danny Kelly was bundled over in the Southampton penalty area but captain George Francomb blasted the spot-kick over the bar.

Three minutes later, City conceded a penalty and goalkeeper Jed Steer pulled off a tremendous save, diving to his right to deny Garyn Preen.

But Southampton went in front after 11 minutes when striker Sam Hoskins slipped the ball neatly past Steer.

After 20 minutes, Hoskins again got clear, and only a superb one-handed save from Steer stopped him doubling his tally.

Steer was again called into action to deny Andy Robinson, then Sam Hoskins, from just six yards out, who followed up by hammering the ball against the bar.

Three minutes after the interval, Josh Dawkin helped set up the equaliser for City as Danny Kelly made the extra yard to shoot low from the edge of the penalty area past goalkeeper Jack Dovey.

Steer provided yet another stirring exhibition of goalkeeping of the highest standard, and City surprisingly took the lead after 72 minutes with Jamar Lozar weaving through the mud, drawing Dovey from his goal and applying the perfect finish,

Their joy was short-lived, however, as Southampton scored straight from the restart. Jordache Houser-Spooner scored with a low shot after a melee in the penalty area, with appeals for offside waved aside.

City had to survive the closing stages as Southampton looked for a winner, with David Stephens, who had recovered from a heavy fall in midfield, outstanding.

The only sour note was when Alex Stephens was shown the red card just before the final whistle by referee Jacecko.

Norwich City Under-18: Steer, Francomb, Alex Stephens, Dawkin, Jones (Roberts, 77 min), David Stephens, Lozar, Sam Kelly, Danny Kelly, Clarke (Clunan, 84 min), Gordon.

City man of match: Jed Steer.