A first half header from Southampton U21s captain Alfie Jones gave the visiting Saints three points in a 0-1 defeat for Cambridge United in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Much like the previous fixture in the competition, Head Coach Shaun Derry elected to give a list of the Club’s youngsters a place in the match day squad, with both Matthew Foy and Leon Davies starting, whilst Ben Worman and Finley Iron took up places on the bench.

The visitors took the lead through Alfie Jones ten minutes before half time, the Saints skipper leaping highest to break the deadlock at the front post from a corner.

Liam O’Neil was close to a leveller minutes later, when his fierce shot grazed the outside of Alex McCarthy’s goal.

United built pressure as the second half progressed and came close soon after the break following a neat one-two pass between Brown and Mingoia before the latter drove wide from 18 yards.

Brown was fractions away from an equaliser himself when he got on to the end of a corner delivery which had ricocheted around the Southampton box, but the forward could only prod the ball over.

Matt Foy’s best opportunity came from another set piece delivery, which the young striker headed off target before Head Coach Shaun Derry introduced Emmanuel Osadebe, David Amoo and Harrison Dunk in a triple substitution.

Amoo showed flashes of quality going forward but it was Osadebe who forced a fine save from McCarthy in the Saints goal, who did well to palm away an effort from the right flank by the U’s midfielder, which proved to be United’s final chance.

Cambridge United: Mitov, Carroll, Taylor, Howkins, Davies, Mingoia (Dunk, 56 mins), Deegan (Osadebe, 56 mins), O’Neil, Elito (Amoo, 56 mins), Brown, Foy

Southampton U21s: McCarthy, Wood, Jones, Bakary (Valary, 45 mins), Cook, Rowthorn (Hamblin, 75 mins), Johnson, Slattery (Smallbone, 85 mins), O’Driscoll, Barnes, Hale

Attendance: 480