Young Canaries beaten at Carrow Road
NORWICH City Under-23s' first Carrow Road game of the season ended in defeat as they went down 2-1 to Middlesbrough in the Premier League 2 on Thursday night.
Goals just minutes before and after the half-time break from Rob Tinkler and Joao Morelli respectively proved the difference, with Carlton Morris netting a consolation for the the Canaries.
The hosts had the first meaningful opportunity on 14 minutes when Ray Grant sent Benny Ashley-Seal away on the counter, only for Glenn Middleton's drilled cross to fly across the face of goal.
However, with chances few and far between, Boro made the most of a rare opening with the interval approaching when Tinkler dribbled into the box before slotting home to put his side in front.
Boro were quick to extend their advantage after the restart, Morelli making it 2-0 when he broke from midfield to round Ben Killip and slot into the net.
City then had Killip to thank for keeping them in the contest, with the goalkeeper spreading himself well to deny a pair of efforts from Callum Cooke in quick succession.
Dmitri Halajko's youngsters improved as the game wore on, and deservedly pulled a goal back when Morris swept low into the net at the end of a fine move ten minutes from time.
However, Morris' strike proved to be in vain; Boro standing firm in the face of some late City dominance to take the three points.
The Development Squad's next match seems them travel to Peterborough United in the Checkatrade EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
FULL-TIME: Norwich City 1-2 Middlesbrough
GOALS: Canaries: Carlton Morris (80) Boro: Rob Tinkler (42), Joao Morelli (49)
TEAM: Killip (c); Ramsay, Godfrey, Efete, Lewis; Ashley-Seal, Grant, Sambu, Middleton (Adams, 58); Cantwell, Morris. Subs not used: Hallett (GK), Crowe, Jaiyesimi, Odusina.