U18 Report: Brighton 1-2 Saints

The young Saints were forced to come from behind, falling foul to a Ben Clark-Eden opener in the 11th minute, but drew themselves level before half time, before sealing the tie in the second period.

Mikey Saunders netted Saints first on the half hour mark, capitalising on scorer Clark-Eden's defensive mistake, and rolling the ball calmly under Roco Rees in the Brighton net.

Midfielder Jack Turner, who was involved in the prelude to the first goal, was again a part of the build up for the second, before the ball was worked wide to Marco Rus, via James Morris, and eventually turned in by the forward from a tight angle.

Goalkeeper Rees might be disappointed with the way the ball squirmed beneath him, but that will matter little to Saints, who ground out the remainder of the tie, having gone ahead in the 54th minute, to clinch maximum spoils.

Indeed, Rees's opposite number Oli Wright might be equally aggrieved with the goal he conceded, which was rather fortuitously turned in by defender Clark-Eden following a free-kick from full-back Sam Packham, but the response from youngsters in yellow will make the win that much sweeter for coach Paul Hardyman.

The victory lifts Saints up to a respectable fifth, leapfrogging both Leicester City and Tottenham as a result. Their next task is a home tie with West Ham United in seven day's time, who incidentally sit directly above Saints in the standings.