Saints Under-19s manager Stewart Henderson tipped his play off winners to become first team contenders next season.

Most of the side that beat Sheffield United so convincingly were playing a year below their age group.

Henderson will still be able to play three over-age players when the academy championship switches from the current under 17/19 format to under 16/18.

But he reckons the likes of Martin Cranie will have their sights set higher than academy football in 2004-05.

Henderson said: "The Sheffield people were quite surprised that it's mostly an under-18 side but I would fully expect most of them to be regulars in the reserve team and one or two will be pushing for a little bit more than that."

Henderson added: "I'm absolutely delighted for the players. They've shown me from day one of pre-season that they've got a terrific work ethic and the fact that we've lost just one game all season shows what a good team they are.

"I couldn't see us conceding three goals, I always felt we were going to score - and when the first goal went in it was game over."

The only blot on the academy's season has been the FA Youth Cup defeat at Tranmere in February.

"They've bounced back and proved they're winners. We've won our last nine or ten games on the spin and have only lost one match all year, it's been a fantastic season from everyone."

Cranie, a first team debutant earlier this month at Stamford Bridge, was Henderson's man of the match.

"If I had to single anyone out it would be Martin Cranie, yet again. He shows great maturity for a 17-year-old boy and held us together, along with Matthew Mills, who defended excellently.

"The two strikers were awesome, the centre backs defended very well and the midfield boys grafted and took control.

"The full backs were excellent and so was the goalkpeer, it was a terrific team performance."