WANDERERS youth team suffered a first defeat in five U18 Professional Development League games when they went down 2-1 at home to Birmingham City on Saturday.

Nicky Spooner’s youngsters had a flying start, scoring within a minute when Luca Navarro played the ball down the line for Matthew Fearnley to run on to and beat the keeper with a good strike from 10 yards.

It was Fearnley’s first touch on his return from a three-month injury lay-off.

The young Whites played with confidence after taking the lead, looking to play out from the back and through midfield.

But despite a host of chances they could not get the second goal their possession deserved.

Just before the interval, they were pegged back to level terms when Birmingham equalised from the penalty spot.

In the second half the play was even with both sides unable to create chances into goals.

But with just a minute remaining of the 90, the visitors scored to snatch all three points.