THIERRY Small’s late winner made the difference as Saints B beat Sunderland 1-0 on the final day of the Premier League 2 campaign.

The result meant Saints finished the season just missing out on the playoffs via goal-difference, knowing they needed an 11-goal victory to sneak in ahead of Norwich.

Summer signing Small notched his third goal this term to put Saints ahead with just 10 minutes to go, while Alex McCarthy kept a clean sheet on his return from injury.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper had not featured since suffering a hamstring during a Premier League clash with Brighton back in December, resulting in a late 1-1 draw which left Ralph Hasenhuttl furious.

Sunderland failed to make him too busy, but McCarthy made one strong save down low to his right midway through the second-half.

Saints had an opportunity for an early opener after Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo squared across to a sliding Rylee Wright, but he could only just reach it and poked wide with the goal gaping.

That was as close as either side came to the goal for some time in a slow-burning affair. Sunderland’s Tom Stagg nearly capitalised on some hesitant defending but couldn’t force a shot with back to goal, and blazed over another chance shortly after with half-time looming.

Nico Lawrence, a 19-year-old centre-back who arrived at Saints this year from non-league Glebe FC, was the standout in terms of composure and quality for the young side.

The other, Luke Pearce, should have put Saints ahead in added time after performing an excellent turn inside the area to afford himself clear sight at goal.

The left-footed shot just had to be guided into the bottom corner, with no chance of stopping it, but it was spooned wide of the far-post – the 17-year-old had scored the day before playing for the under-18s.

Following the interval, centre-midfielder Jack Turner headed another golden opportunity wide of the far-post with a glancing effort from close-range.

Saints were forced into their first change with 20 minutes remaining, Lewis Payne coming on for his second match of the weekend after Fedel Ross-Lang went to ground clutching his hamstring.

The breakthrough came with just over 10 minutes left of play, 17-year-old Small thumping in a low ball across the box from inside the area after great creative play from substitute Payne.

Saints B end the season on 39 points from 26 matches, in seventh-place. Fifth-place Norwich and sixth Burnley both with a superior goal difference. 

Saints: McCarthy; Otseh-Taiwo, Lancashire, Lawrence, Small; Finnigan (Tshaka, 79), Turner, Wright (Carson, 87), Ross-Lang (Payne, 70); Smith, Pearce

Unused subs: Ballard, Hall (g/k)

Booked: Otseh-Taiwo

Attendance: 858