Manchester United U18s have lost 1-0 to Stoke City.

Just one goal split the teams – scored by Stoke's Shola Ayoola, 14 minutes from the end, but United contributed a great deal to the game and with a touch of luck could have had some form of reward to celebrate.

Paul McGuinness' lads were staring at an undeserved defeat, but they weren't going down without a scrap and they pulled out all the stops in the closing minutes in the quest to find an equaliser.

Stoke were forced to defend in numbers as United went all out for the elusive leveller, but try as the Reds might that one golden opening wouldn't present itself.