STOKE CITY'S youth teams were unfortunate to emerge from their games against Manchester United with only one point on Saturday.

The Under-18s were 2-0 up at one stage at United's Carrington Training Ground, but eventually finished up losing the match 3-2.

And the Under-16s claimed a highly-creditable 0-0 draw and could so easily have won the game, creating a number of good chances.

For both sides, it was their first game for six weeks due to all the bad weather, but neither side showed any signs of being ring-rusty.

The Under-18s went two goals in front thanks to an Andy Nicholls header and then an own goal, but a dubious penalty early in the second half turned the game in United's favour, although it took two late goals to deny the Potters victory.