NORWICH City's Under-21s mirrored the result of the Club's Under-18s side by drawing 1-1 with Southampton at Staplewood on Monday afternoon.

Josh Murphy put the youngsters ahead with a free-kick on 17 minutes but the Canaries were pegged back by Sam McQueen's goal early in the second half.

Jacob Murphy had an effort cleared off the line in the closing minutes, but Southampton were denied twice by the woodwork up the other end.

The results means the Under-21s are now unbeaten in three in the Barclays Under-21s Premier League and they look to secure a top half finish over their remaining four matches.

Carlton Morris was recalled to the Canaries starting line-up after bagging two goals off the bench in last week’s friendly against Charlton, while both Josh and Jacob Murphy were afforded starts.

Adel Gafaiti and Jamar Loza were absent having recent joined Oldham Athletic and Southend United on loan respectively.

The Murphy twins combined after just two minutes to create a fine chance for Mark Robson’s team to open the scoring, but Josh hit over the bar from close-range after Jacob’s pass.

Sam Gallagher, who recently scored for Southampton’s first-team against the Canaries, was the first home player to test Matthews but it was Norwich who took the lead on 17 minutes.

Josh Murphy lined up a free-kick from 30 yards, and even though Cody Cropper got a hand to it, the ball nestled in the back of the net.

He could have doubled the lead just moments later but saw his low drive kept out by Southampton’s stopper, and Cameron Norman was next to try his luck from distance, his effort flashing just wide.

HALF-TIME: Southampton 0-1 Norwich City

Ten minutes after the break, the Saints pulled level in impressive fashion through McQueen, who steadied himself in the box before curling an effort into the top corner.

McQueen then hit the post as the home side looked to swing the game in their favour, and they went close again through Ryan Seager on 76 minutes.

Substitute Omar Rowe rattled the crossbar with a cross that evaded Remi Matthews, but Jacob Murphy almost edged City in front only to see his shot cleared off the line by Matt Young.

Neither side could grab that elusive winner, however, and the spoils were shared.

FULL-TIME: Southampton 1-1 Norwich City

GOALS: Saints: Sam McQueen (56) - Canaries: Josh Murphy (17)

SOUTHAMPTON: Cropper (Johns 90), Young, McCarthy, Turnbull, Targett, Gape, Reed, Sinclair (Rowe 78), McQueen (Flannigan 90), Seager, Gallagher. Subs not used: Debayo, Hesketh.

NORWICH CITY: Matthews; McNeil (Young 72), McFadden (c), Awuah, Toffolo; Jacob Murphy (Hodd 85), Norman, Grant, Josh Murphy; Hall-Johnson; Morris. Subs not used: Killip (GK), Lokko.

REPORT: SAINTS 1-1 U21S

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