CITY's Under-18s produced one of their best performances of the season but were ultimately held to a 1-1 draw by Bolton Wanderers at Colney Training Centre.

Jerry Gill's Canaries went into the match having got their Barclays Under-18s Premier League playoff campaign off to a promising start with a 2-1 win at Arsenal the week before.

They carried the momentum from that victory into the start of this game yet went behind on 17 minutes against the run of play.

On a windy day at the Club's Colney training base, goalkeeper Ben Killip misjudged a floated free-kick from the right side and the ball nestled in the far corner.

Norwich were the more creative side, however, and could have netted more than once before the half-time break.

Benny Ashley-Seal and Louis McIntosh both had chances but it was Todd Cantwell who went closest, curling an effort narrowly wide of the post.

Aside from the goal, the Canaries' defence was dealing with Bolton's direct threat comfortably and the midfield, that included an Under-15 in Bilal Kamal for his first start, were dominating the ball.

The theme continued in the second period, and City finally got their reward on 61 minutes with a fine team goal.

Joe Crowe picked out Ashley-Seal with a long pass through the centre, and the striker knocked the ball down into the path of Cantwell.

Ashley-Seal picked up Cantwell's flick, made an excellent one-two with Louis McIntosh and chipped calmly beyond the Trotters' goalkeeper.

The hosts continued to carry the most threat, and even though they couldn't quite grab the winner, Gill was very happy with the level of performance.

"There were some of the best stats we've had and I don't think we've scored a better team goal all season," he told canaries.co.uk.

"We were coming against Bolton, who had a physical, strong team out and it was a windy morning at Colney, but we played some really good stuff - we had good possession, good play and we created some chances as well.

"I told the lads to not be disappointed with a draw because it keeps our good run going."

City are now second behind Blackburn Rovers in their tier ahead of next Saturday's trip to Southampton (11am).

NORWICH CITY: Killip; Wallace, Crowe, Ellesley, Boateng; Pollock, Cantwell, Kamal (Middleton 68), McIntosh; Ashley-Seal, Pope (Sambu 53). Subs not used: Hale-Brown (GK), Syme, Sainsbury-Logan.

NEXT AT CARROW ROAD
Under-21s vs Everton, Wednesday April 1, 7pm

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