Title-chasing City settled for a point on Saturday afternoon after an eventful 2-2 Under-18 Premier League North draw against Burnley.
The City youngsters found ourselves behind on 15 minutes when Kian McMahon Brown struck the ball sweetly into the top corner against the run of play.
Oliver Reiss’ youngsters sought to find a response after the break and had a number of chances to claw a goal back, but were unable to find a way past Burnley’s solid defence.
However, our efforts were finally rewarded on 74 minutes when Teddie Lamb struck to maintain his fantastic scoring form this season.
And it looked like the City would seal all three points eight minutes from time when Karim Cassim followed up with an outrageous effort which soared into the top corner from range.
But Burnley hot back deep into stoppage time and hit a 95th minute leveller through Albert Blackie as the spoils were shared.
What happened
Oliver Reiss’ side were looking to end the month unbeaten as we travelled to Burnley.
Despite making six changes, City were straight onto the offensive and the prolific Lamb had the ball in the net after sixth minutes, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
It had been all City in the opening 15 minutes, but, against the run of play the hosts took the lead through McMahon Brown.
City sought to find a way back into the game but though Xavier Parker and Lamb both went close, the young Clarets when in ahead at the break.
City stepped up our hunt for an equaliser as the second half resumed, but Burnley were happy to sit back and defend - blocking every attempt.
Parker looked to tuck a curling effort into the bottom corner as we headed towards 70 minutes, but Lamb was unfortunate to find himself in the way and deflected the ball away.
But our efforts were finally rewarded on 74 minutes through who else but Lamb, after substitute Kylan Midwood sent a cross towards the near post for the striker to dispatch an acrobatic finish.
With the wind in our sails, City stepped up the pressure and took the lead on 82 minutes via a spectacular Karim Cassim rocket.
After receiving the ball outside the area, he smashed a spectacular effort into the top left corner, leaving Burnley’s goalkeeper rooted to the spot in shock.
It looked as if that would earn City three vital points in the race for the title.
But there was sting in the tail as Burnley struck on 95 minutes to force a late equaliser from Blackie with both sides settling for a point apiece.
How we lined up
BURNLEY XI | Grimshaw, Blackie, Wilcock, Stanley, King (76’ Da Cotsa), Ilunga (63’ Best), Scanlon, Savage (C), McMahon-Brown (63’ Taylor), Morison (76’ Fong), Lewis
SUBS | Feeney
CITY XI | Hudson, Wain (58’ Headley), Drake (C), Courtman (42’ Barrett, 90’ Obin), Tevenan, Miles, Cassim, Gorman, Parker (70’ Midwood), T Samba, Lamb
SUBS | Grigg
AS A RESULT
City continue to sit top of the Under-18 Premier League North table on 47 points, above United on goal difference.
However, we still have a game in hand on our cross-city rivals as the race for the regional title comes to the boil.
UP NEXT
City now head into the international break before returning in April to face Middlesborough at the City Football Academy.
We host Boro on Saturday 11 April, with kick-off set for 12:00 (UK).
The game will be available to watch live onmancity.com and theOfficial Man City App for fans with a CITY+ subscription.
News about Burnley u18 v Man City
Watch City's Under-18 Premier League North trip to Burnley live on CITY+ today
City's Under-18 Premier League North clash with Burnley will be available to watch live on mancity.com and the Official Man City App via CITY+ from 11:00 (UK). Read more Full-match replay: Burnley v City - Under-18 Premier League North
Fans with a CITY+ subscription can watch every moment from our Under-18 Premier League North trip to Burnley. Watch more