A GOAL from Jake Vokins was not enough to prevent defeat for Saints under-23s against Coventry City at St Mary's this afternoon.

Saints led 1-0 at half-time, but ended up losing 3-1 to their Championship opponents after goals from Jonny Ngandu, Max Biamou and David Bremang.

There were a few first-team squad members amongst Dave Horseman's young starting XI, including goalkeeper Fraser Forster as well as defenders Vokins and Yan Valery.

And Saints enjoyed early possession, going close to taking the lead through Nathan Tella.

But Vokins did break the deadlock before half-time, tucking in after a neat team move.

Tella and Josh Sims went close for Saints in the second half, but strikes from Ngandu, Biamou and Bremang past substitute goalkeeper Jack Bycroft sealed a 3-1 win for the visitors.

Saints starting XI: Forster, Valery, Jones, Ramsay, Vokins, Slattery, Chauke, Sims, Tella, Hesketh, N'Lundulu.