SAINTS Under-23s were beaten 2-1 by Feyenoord in their Premier League International Cup opener.

A stroke of luck led to Radhi Jaidi's side taking the lead when Achraf El Bouchataoui turned the ball into his own net before half time.

But the Dutch side responded after the break thanks to finishes from Noah Naujoks and Wouter Burger.

During a closely fought first half, Feyenoord were the team in the ascendancy and came close to breaking the deadlock on more than one occasion.

Saints' Kayne Ramsay had to throw himself into a last-ditch tackle to deny Burger an opportunity.

Ramsay's teammate, Aaron O'Driscoll, was the next player to deny the Dutch outfit taking the lead when he denied El Bouchataoui.

It took 36 minutes for the U23s to register their first real chance at goal.

Harlem Hale took advantage of a well-worked set piece routine to force goalkeeper Nick Marsman into a good save.

Saints didn't have to wait long for the breakthrough, as Christian Norton's cross was deflected off the head of El Bouchataoui and into the Feyenoord net.

The second half played out much like the 45 minutes that preceded it with both teams struggling to create anything of note.

However, Feyenoord were back in the game when Naujoks lobbed Tommy Scott in goal to bring the scores level.

Burger then hit the winner with 10 minutes remaining.