Report | Southampton U21s 2 Swansea City U21s 2

Swansea City Under-21s bowed out of the Premier League Cup as a point against Southampton wasn't enough to progress to the quarter-finals.

The Saints maintained their unbeaten run in Group C, whilst a point meant the Swans finished in third place, below West Bromwich Albion after the Baggies won their final group game.

Southampton had the advantage early on after Jay Robinson slotted home from inside the box, before Brandon Charles’ strike had them two goals to the good in the 24th minute. 

In-form Thomas Woodward drilled home to pull one back for the Swans before the break and, within four minutes of the second period, Sammy Henia-Kamau levelled the scores.

The Swans had a plethora of chances to claim a comeback victory but it was not to be, and the point was not enough to take them through.

The hosts had put on the pressure from the opening whistle, winning back-to-back corners and pressing well, but Swansea keeper Kit Margetson was equal to the set-pieces.

Moses Sesay was sent through on a solo run down the right, catching Margetson off his line, but the keeper intercepted and his defence snuffed out any remaining danger.

But Southampton took the lead moments later. A crisp one-two between Lewis Payne and Robinson set up the latter perfectly to tap home from close range.

And the Saints would capitalised on a mistake in the middle of the park to grab their second goal of the evening, with Charles curling an effort into the top corner. 

Down the other end, Ben Lloyd and Dan Watts linked up well on the left, and Watts’ strike from a tight angle forced Josh McNamara into a low save. 

There was momentum building from the visitors and they were rewarded with a goal. Woodward dispatching the ball low into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty box. 

A sustained period of possession from Swansea ended with a fine chance for Lloyd as his curling strike landed just wide of the far post.

Then, with seconds remaining in the first half, Aimar Govea tried his luck from distance but his strike was straight into the hands of McNamara. 

The Swans trailed at the break but found a well-deserved leveller four minutes into the second half as Henia-Kamau rolled the ball into the back of the net following a scramble in the area.

Margetson was called into action shortly afterwards, denying Robinson a second goal of the night from just six yards out.

Woodward, also in search of a second goal of the contest, then hit a brilliant effort from distance that forced McNamara into a fine diving save. 

The Swans, knowing a win would seal a last-eight spot, were well on top in the closing stages, and created chances for Woodward and Lloyd. Substitute Jack Fanning had the ball in the back of the net following a Swans corner, but the referee disallowed it for a foul in the build-up. 

With five minutes remaining of normal time, Josh Pescatore picked out Woodward well inside the box, the 18-year-old rose highest to head the ball goalward  but McNamara was once again there to deny the visitors.

Then, with one of the final touches of the game, Woodward's powerful shot forced a fingertip save from McNamara, but the offside flag meant it would not have counted as Swansea bowed out of the competition.

Swansea City Under-21s: Kit Margetson, Zac Jeanes (Josh Pescatore 60), Sebastian Dabrowski, Jacob Cook, Arthur Parker, Iestyn Jones, Aimar Govea (Jack Fanning 45), Dan Watts (Ramon Rees-Siso 67), Sammy Henia-Kamau (Morgan Bates 77), Ben Lloyd (captain), Thomas Woodward.

Substitutes: Sam Seager.