Northampton Town Under 18s fell to a second consecutive 1-0 defeat in the EFL Youth Alliance League as they narrowly lost to Cambridge United on Saturday.

Sal Akanbi scored the only goal in a game that lacked quality and chances.

One of the few clear-cut opportunities of the match came a quarter-of-an-hour in, when a poor pass from Cambridge keeper Jonah Gill was intercepted by in-form Liam Cross, but his shot went just wide from 20 yards.

The visitors took the lead five minutes before the hour, when Akanbi jumped highest to head home a curling cross from the right.

The young Cobblers’ only real chance to equalise came just over 10 minutes later, when Cross shifted onto his left on the edge of the area and forced Gill into a fantastic save low to his right.

With a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, Cambridge came close to doubling their advantage. Tom Scott was dispossessed in his own half, but Dylan Berry made a good one-on-one save.

Jon Brady’s team pushed for an equaliser, but their opponents held on to hand them back-to-back defeats.

They take on AFC Wimbledon at home next week.

Starting XI: Berry (GK); Bailey (C), Tomlinson, Dyche, Hill (sub Lashley, 74’); Lack, Scott, Cross, Ngwa; Gilbert, Connor (sub Abimbola, 74’). Unused subs: Woods (GK), Watkins-Robinson, Ndefo.

Bookings: Dyche, Lack, Gilbert (all fouls).