THE search for a first win of the season goes on for Wanderers Under-18s after a 4-1 defeat at Manchester City on Saturday.

It was a competitive and even first hour of the FA U18 Premier League North group clash before substitutions in both camps turned things around in favour of the hosts.

Tom Walker was forced off for the young Whites with an injury on 65 minutes, while Blues boss Jason Wilcox introduced Denzeil Boadu and Bersant Celina and both got on the scoresheet.

City right-back Pablo Maffeo fired home the opener for the home side on the stroke of half-time, but David Lee and Tony Kelly’s side were on level terms nine minutes into the second half.

Jamie Thomas picked up the ball on the left after good work in the build-up by Jamie Hinchcliffe and Guillermo Torres and slid his effort past City stopper Charlie Albinson.

It could have been two for the visitors but for a fine save from Albinson to turn Liam Gibson’s long-range effort behind.

But, following the substitutions; City regained their lead through Boadu when his first touch saw him curl a shot into the top corner and Celina profited with two goals in the final 16 minutes.

“Up to 65 minutes we were the better team, having created several good chances,” said Lee.

“When we lost Walker to injury, with only under-16s to come in, the game and pace was too much, and we conceded too easily.”

The U18s host Stoke at Lostock on Saturday, kick off 11am.