CITY'S Academy side returned to action with a 2-2 draw at Staplewood against Southampton on Saturday, which also saw two missed penalties and a red card.

After a five week break, the match went ahead after a 7.30am pitch inspection.

Inside the first minute Danny Kelly was brought down inside the Saints box, presenting skipper George Francomb with an opportunity from the penalty spot. However, Francomb saw his shot clear Jack Dovey's bar.

Just three minutes later, the hosts won a penalty of their own when Garyn Preen was fouled. The winger dusted himself off to take the penalty but like Francomb couldn't convert as Jed Steer flung himself to his right to pull off a fantastic save.

The hosts though did take the lead after 11 minutes. Jordache Holder-Spooner and Aarran Racine combined to lay on the chance for Sam Hoskins, who beat Steer when through one-on-one.

Steer then had to be at his best to deny Hoskins and Andy Robinson as the momentum was with Southampton for the rest of the half.

But like the first half, City started the second half brightly and Danny Kelly levelled the scores inside three minutes. Winger Josh Dawkin was the architect, finding Kelly on the edge of the area, who created a yard of space for himself before planting his finish beyond Dovey.

City were the better side after levelling and took the lead on 72 minutes. Jamar Lozar, an under-16 player, capped a mazy run with a good finish.

However, the lead lasted just a minute as from the restart, the Saints restored parity, with Holder-Spooner scoring at the second time of asking after his initial shot - following a scramble inside the City box - had been blocked.

Alex Stephens was sent off for City inside the last ten minute but Ricky Martin's side held out for a deserved point.

Speaking to canaries.co.uk, academy manager Ricky Martin said: "I was pleased with the way we competed and thought we deserved a point after a good second-half performance. I thought the team played well considering we started with three under-16 players and am delighted for Jamar (Lozar) to score his first goal at this level for us."

City: Steer, Francomb, A.Stephens, Dawkin, Jones (Roberts 84), D.Stephens, Lozar, S.Kelly, D.Kelly, Clarke (Clunan 7), Gordon. Subs not used: Matthews (GK), Hall-Johnson, Toffolo.