Jack Stephens’ header in the 92nd minute dramatically snatched Saints’ Development Squad a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

After falling behind through a Marcos Lopes penalty, Jordan Turnbull levelled matters with a tap-in on the stroke of half-time.

After weathering a City storm late on, Jack Stephens rose well to nod in a corner and steal the win in the dying moments of the match.

Unfazed by playing at City’s ground under the watchful eyes of supporters, the visitors created a couple of half-chances early on.

Sam McQueen flicked the ball over himself in City’s area before turning and volleying it, only to see his attempt blocked by the jump of George Glendon.

Harrison Reed’s aiming proved to be less accurate – albeit from a further distance – as he struggled to properly control Matt Targett’s cross towards him on the edge of the area before scooping well over.

McQueen was troubling the home side soon after when he controlled a pass over City’s backline before driving high and wide under pressure.

After loosely controlling a backpass from Turnbull and hastily sliding the ball away under pressure from Jordy Mayifuila, Chris Johns thwarted the striker when he leapt across to catch his header from a Lopes cross.

Lopes was much more successful in his attempts to see his side take the lead on the half-hour mark when City won a penalty.

Devante Cole was hauled down in the box, leaving the referee no choice but to award a spot-kick that LOPES stepped up to slam down the centre past the diving Johns.

Saints responded well as the break approached, Lloyd Isgrove taking a chipped pass into his stride down the right flank before seeing low shot prevented by the leg of ‘keeper Ian Lawlor.

The City custodian was powerless to stop Southampton on the stroke of half-time when his defenders deserted him in the centre of the box.

Some Blues prematurely began pushing out of their box despite not having cleared the danger, allowing a cross to be swung in towards the unmarked Jake Sinclair to nod into the path of TURNBULL for a tap-in into an open net.

HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY U21s 1-2 SOUTHAMPTON U21s

The halfway point in the game appeared to have slowed the overall momentum, Mayifuila creating the only cause for concern inside the quarter of an hour that followed the restart.

After seeing a deft pass lifted over Saints’ backline into the Mayifuila’s path, the striker was outmuscled by the retreating Targett who ensured the danger was cleared.

The first real threat posed by either side in the second period arrived with 17 minutes of normal time remaining, courtesy of Seko Fofana.

Sinan Bytyqi skipped inside from the left wing and laid the ball across to the Frenchman for a dangerous 25-yard effort that curled marginally wide.

Fofana’s aiming was even more wayward five minutes later when a corner flicked into his direction was volleyed into the stands as City continued to press.

Lopes wiggled into space in the right-hand side of Saints’ box as he searched for a double to no avail with a fizzing shot that Johns smothered.

Jose Tasende slipped through fellow left-sider Bytyqi for a dangerous pull-back that fortunately drew no City contact in a worrying position as Gape cleared in the midst of a Blues onslaught.

The last of City’s fierce attacks came with three minutes of normal time left – an attempt that was arguably the most troubling of their late surge.

A fine pass from the outside of Kean Bryan’s foot allowing Bytyqi to pull back for Lopes to fire a low shot that was well-blocked.

Against the run of play, Saints stole victory through a corner when STEPHENS glanced a header into the far corner beyond the outstretched arm of Lawlor.

FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY U21s 1-1 SOUTHAMPTON U21s

Manchester City U21s: Ian Lawlor, Adam Drury, Jose Tasende, Shay Facey, Jason Denayer, George Glendon, Sinan Bytyqi (Olivier Ntcham 84), Seko Fofana, Jordy Mayifuila (Kean Bryan 60), Marcos Lopes, Devante Cole. Unused substitutes: Ellis Plummer, Billy O’Brien, Jack Byrne.

Goal: Lopes (30)

Bookings: Glendon (54), Jason Denayer (86)

Southampton U21s: Chris Johns, Jason McCarthy, Jack Stephens, Jordan Turnbull, Matt Targett, Harrison Reed, Dominic Gape, Jake Flannigan, Jake Sinclair (Omar Rowe 86), Lloyd Isgrove, Sam McQueen (Ryan Seager 73). Unused substitutes: Matt Young, Harry Isted, Jake Hesketh.

Goals: Turnbull (45), Stephens (90+2)

Booking: Gape (75)