Southampton Under-18s fought back from three goals down to earn a 3-3 draw with their Brighton & Hove Albion counterparts on Saturday.
The result made it three draws in a row for Craig Fleming’s side, who stay unbeaten in their opening two Barclays Under-18 Premier League play-off matches.
Fleming’s side fell behind in the 20th minute, as Danny Mandroiu found the back of the net, before striker Reece Meekums added a second in the 33rd minute.
Saints’ youngsters needed an immediate response after the break, but fell further behind in the 67th minute, as Meekums grabbed his second goal of the game.
But an unlikely comeback began soon after, as Dan N’Lundulu capitalised on a defensive error to convert confidently for his second goal in as many games.
Another Brighton error allowed Saints to claw another one back, as defender Sam Rolph put the ball through his own net.
The comeback was complete deep into injury time as Harley Willard curled home a superb free-kick from the edge of the box for his eighth goal of the campaign.
Brighton & Hove Albion Under-18s: George Hobbs, Owen Moore, Sam Rolph, Sam Golan, George Cox, David Ajiboye (Alex Cochrane (90), Archie Davies, Luis Garcia, Rian O’Sullivan (Isaac Hutchinson 60), Reece Meekums (Thomas Byrne (70).
Unused substitutes: Bailey Vose (GK), Hamish Morrison.
Booked: Cox (18)
Goals: Mandroiu (20), Meekums (30, 67)
Southampton Under-18s: Harry Lewis, Yan Valery, Ben Rowthorn, Ben Cull, Connor Langan, Harry Hamblin, Thomas O’Connor, Harley Willard, Siph Mdlalose (Harlem Hale 69), Tyreke Johnson, Dan N’Lundulu.
Unused substitutes: Neal Osborn (GK), Ollie Gardner, Will Smallbone, Javen Siu.
Goals: N’Lundulu (77), Rolph (OG 84), Willard (90)
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