Norwich City's Academy side slid to their fifth consecutive defeat when a hotly disputed penalty just two minutes before the end was enough to give all three points to the visitors.

FA Premier Academy League,

Norwich City U18 2, Portsmouth U18 3

NORWICH CITY'S Academy side slid to their fifth consecutive defeat when a hotly disputed penalty just two minutes before the end was enough to give all three points to the visitors.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Canaries after they had fought their way back to 2-2 after finding themselves two goals adrift at one stage.

Ricky Martin handed a first start to England U16 keeper Jed Steer but it was the Pompey keeper who saw most of the action in the opening minutes as Norwich took the game to the south coast outfit.

With 35 minutes on the clock and against the run of play the visitors took the lead when they were awarded a penalty. Joseph Ostler took the spot-kick but Steer was up for the task and blocked the shot but OSTLER was on hand to knock in the rebound.

City were still reeling from going a goal down when just two minutes later the visitors extended their lead when Andreas GOVAS volleyed in a right wing cross.

Portsmouth could have then made it three but Steer made a super save to deny Cowan-Hall.

With just two minutes left on the clock before the break City pulled themselves back into the game when Yong raced down the left flank to send in a low cross for DALEY to finish from close range.

City went all out for the equaliser at the start of the second half with Daley going close on two occasions.

On 63 minutes City finally got the goal their play thoroughly deserved although it came in somewhat bizarre circumstances after Damon Lathrope had blasted the ball into the net only for referee Mr George to call play back to award Norwich a penalty.

Fortunately for the Canaries LATHROPE held his nerve and converted the spot-kick.

Steer was certainly impressing on his debut as he was quickly off his line to deny Cowan-Hall yet again while at the other end Tom Miller fired over the bar after a clever nod down by substitute Ross Kelly.

With just two minutes left on the clock City saw a well deserved share of the points slip from their grasp when Mr George awarded Portsmouth a penalty when Cowan-Hall stumbled under a challenge from Ajet Shehu.

While Steer guessed correctly Matthew RITCHIE'S penalty was just beyond his reach.

t Norwich City: Steer, Cooper, O'Toole, Lathrope, McLean, Shehu, Asajile (R Kelly 60), Miller, Daley, Yong, Smith (Stephens 85). Sub not used: D Kelly.

t Portsmouth: Smith, Udoji (Blackman 73), Terry, Pack, Page, Ostler, Govas (Gbo 68), Ritchie, Cowan-Hall, Kilbey, Walker (Motumbo 60). Subs not used: Hughes, Castles. MOM: Steer.