There was cup success on consecutive nights for Saints as the under 21s made it to the quarter-finals of the U21 Premier League Cup with a 2-0 victory against Norwich at St Mary’s last night in their last 16 tie.

An exquisite team goal, polished off by the hot-form Ryan Seager, and a curled effort from goal hero of the last round Sam McQueen in the last ten minutes saw Southampton take their second cup win in 24 hours after the first team beat Ipswich 1-0 on Wednesday night in the FA Cup.

Martin Hunter’s side, who are unbeaten since late September and are top of the U21 Premier League, started slowly, but once they had established the lead, they didn’t look back as their influence grew with a string of second half efforts – led by captain Dominic Gape.

The opening 20 minutes saw little in the way of clear-cut openings.

Norwich had good spells of possession but, apart from a very good tip over by goalkeeper Will Britt – selected in place of the injured Cody Cropper – from Louis Ramsay’s effort from an acute angle, Saints looked un-phased.

With chairman Ralph Krueger watching on, Saints’ young guns scored a goal befitting the first team’s exploits this term on 21 minutes.

A throw-in on the right, just past halfway, picked out the impressive McQueen. The forward’s first touch was sublime, fooling his marker and enabling him to turn away to face the Canaries goal.

With teenage zest streaming through his veins McQueen powered forward and with expert vision found Jake Sinclair on the left side of the box.

The winger, who has just returned from a loan spell at Scottish side Hibernian, took a class touch and looked up, before serving up a tempting square ball for Seager.

The prolific goal-scorer, who should feel hard-done-by not to get a chance in Ronald Koeman’s senior side if his form continues, simply gobbled up the chance with a close range finish for his ninth this campaign.

That entire move made Norwich look statuesque.

On the half hour McQueen slammed hard and low at goal but Remi Matthews, the away stopper, was on hand to collect in.

The visitors, who are third from bottom in the U21 Premier League, couldn’t find their stride against a Saints team brimming with confidence.

What with debutant Ollie Cook and Bevis Mugabi looking calm and composed in the Saints backline, getting a clear look at Britt’s goal was proving tricky.

Saints almost doubled their lead at the start of the second half as Seager found himself in space inside the box. His chip sailed narrowly wide.

McQueen was again showing his class when he turned his man once more and delivered a dangerous cross in front of goal, which evaded everyone.

Gape, McQueen, Sims, and Sinclair were pulling the strings brilliantly for Saints. Their efforts kept keeper Matthews busy, and he had to be alert on several occasions.

McQueen then doubled the lead with nine minutes to play as he thundered home after Seager had hit the post. The 19-year-old curled home with his left foot from inside the box.

Canaries’ Cameron Norman rattled the crossbar in the final throes from a free kick on the edge of the box.

Saints: Will Britt, Jake Flannigan, Josh Debayo, Dominic Gape (c), Ollie Cook, Bevis Mugabi, Josh Sims, Armani Little, Ryan Seager (Marcus Barnes 89), Sam McQueen (Calum Slattery 90), Jake Sinclair (Harley Willard 87). Subs not used: Niall Mason, Chris Johns.