SAINTS B were defeated 4-1 by a senior Charlton Athletic side on Tuesday night and can't progress any further in the EFL Trophy.
The League One outfit put out a strong unit including first team forward Jayden Stockley, who scored the winner at Fleetwood at the weekend and went on to net two in the first half to put the game almost out of sight.
Ben Purrington scored in the closing stages of additional time to make it three, and Olly Lancashire’s headed consolation was cancelled out by another injury time goal, this time in the second half, from captain Jason Pearce.
Former Portsmouth defender Pearce and striker Stockley have an incredible 945 career appearances between them.
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David Horseman had a strong B team side at his disposal though, opting to go for a five at the back with a defensive trio of Oludare Olufunwa, Dynel Simeu and Lancashire.
Will Smallbone made a return to Saints action for the first time since suffering an ACL injury at Leicester back in January, and he made it through the first 45’.
Left-back Thierry Small missed out on a third appearance through injury.
Kamari Doyle, who is just 16-years-old, started against the Charlton side that featured a number of seasoned EFL professionals – what a test and what an opportunity for the hotly-tipped youngster.
It was his superb free-kick that found the head of Lancashire for the goal, as Saints B dominated the second period of the game having grown into the game.
That could have been the second on a comeback trail, coming after Caleb Watts saw his penalty saved following an Adam Matthews foul on Ramello Mitchell inside the area.
The result means Saints have lost both of their two games in Group G and are six points behind the top two, Charlton and Leyton Orient, with both already guaranteeing their progress.
Saints B still have League Two Crawley Town to play in November.
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