SAINTS Under-23s have been knocked out of the EFL Trophy after losing 3-2 to Coventry.

The youngsters have lost all three of their group stage matches which has made qualification to the next stage impossible.

A brace from Callum Slattery, who featured in Saints’ first team last season, wasn’t enough to cancel out Max Biamou’s hat-trick.

The first 45 minutes ended goalless which paved the way for a thrilling second half.

Biamou gave Coventry the lead when his shot from the edge of the area rifled past Harry Lewis in the Saints net.

Slattery then conceded a penalty against Mark Robins’s side, allowing Biamou the chance to double his team’s advantage.

The striker made no mistake from 12-yards out to leave Saints with an uphill task of rescuing their EFL Trophy involvement.

However, the Under-23s responded after going two behind and started to play their way back into the tie.

Christian Norton surged into the Coventry box before being fouled, allowing Slattery to make amends from conceding a penalty.

The 20-year-old then stepped up to bag his first goal of the game when his spot-kick was too good for Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson.

Wilson then dropped a clanger to allow Saints to draw level after Slattery’s shot from distance went straight through his legs.

Saints were then handed a cruel blow in the 90th minute as Coventry striker Biamou completed his hat-trick to seal a late win for the home side.