Under-23s edged out by Reading in Premier League Cup

City travelled to Berkshire aiming to halt a run of four without a victory, but came up against a Jahmari Clarke-inspired Royals team.

Clarke gave Reading an early lead before an end-to-end half ensued, however City gave themselves something to cheer heading into the break with Dickson-Peters converting from Jon Rowe's cross for the equaliser.

The goal was Dickson-Peters' fourth in this season's Premier League Cup, following his hat-trick in City's draw with Derby County last month.

Clarke restored Reading's lead early in the second-half and completed his hat-trick minutes from time to seal all three points for the hosts. Kamara netted a late consolation for the Canaries.

It was a lively start at the Select Car Leasing Stadium with Rowe forcing Coniah Boyce-Clarke into action and City 'keeper Joe Rose denying Clarke from a narrow angle.

Clarke opened the scoring on nine minutes, receiving the ball from Lynford Sackey's low cross and drilling the ball past Rose.

Nelson Khumbeni had a crisply-struck effort palmed away on 15 minutes as City set about getting back into the match, however Reading were also keen on adding to their lead, with Ethan Bristow testing Rose's handling from the edge of the area.

The dangerous Clarke twice went close to adding to his tally before the Canaries equalised on the stroke of half-time when Dickson-Peters expertly volleyed home Rowe's cross.

However, Clarke restored Reading's lead after half-time when his precise effort found a way past Rose.

City went close to equalising again with just over ten minutes to play, when substitute Joe Duffy was denied by Boyce-Clarke, shortly after Rowe's strike was parried by the Reading stopper.

Clarke completed his hat-trick with five minutes to play to give Reading a two-goal advantage, and despite a late strike from Abu Kamara, Reading held on to take three points in Group C.

Next up in the cup for the Canaries is the visit of Charlton Athletic to the Lotus Training Centre on November 19 (7pm KO).

Alan Neilson's side are back in Premier League 2 action on Friday afternoon when they take on Burnley at the Barnfield Training Centre (1pm KO).

• Reading U23s: Boyce-Clarke (GK), Sackey, Bristow, Ashcroft, Holzman, Purcell, Osorio (c), Camera, Vickers, Nyarko, Clarke

• Subs not used: Collins, Abdel-Salam, Abrefa, Okine-Peters

• Goals: Clarke (9' 59', 85')

• Bookings: TBC

• Norwich U23s: Rose (GK), Giurgi, Rowe, Tomkinson, Shipley, Warner, Khumbeni, Earley, Dickson-Peters, Hutchinson (Hills, 46)

• Subs not used: Duffy, St. Paul (GK), Okeowo

• Goals: Dickson-Peters (43'), Kamara (90')

• Bookings: TBC

• HT: 1-1

• Venue: Select Car Leasing Stadium

• Referee TBC