SAINTS B had a day to forget at St Mary’s after their keeper was sent off and they slipped to a two-goal defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Burnley.

The result, inflicted after Harry Lewis’ red and goals from Sam Unwin and Ne-Jai Tucker, sees them stay put at the bottom of Premier League 2 Division Two.

Horseman gave an introduction to 17-year-old left-back Thierry Small who joined Saints with a big reputation from Everton during the summer window – while fellow summer acquisition Dynel Simeu captained the side again.

He was partnered with the experienced Olly Lancashire who returned to Saints to offer guidance and leadership to the young Saints, some as young as 15-years-old in talented midfielder Kamari Doyle.

The likes of Ryan Finnigan and Oludare Olufunwa missed out again due to injury concerns, with a trio of scholars replacing them in the side.

It was an even start with a few misplaced passes on both sides, looking to find their way into the game, but it was Australian Caleb Watts who looked the most likely to make something happen.

He showed some trickery inside the area to knock it over an onrushing defender and continue his run but couldn’t deliver a lofted ball with quite enough quality, before his thread allowed Dom Ballard to run on goal and force a good save from a narrowing angle.

But Saints were reduced to ten men in the first-half, after a moment of madness from keeper Lewis saw him miskick straight to Joe McGlynn – who he then brought down outside the area while trying to amend, and received his marching orders.

Ramello Mitchell was the casualty, subbed off as Horseman brought on back-up stopper Ollie Wright on in his place.

Referee Matthew Russell ordered for five minutes of additional time at the end of the half and it was the last of those in which Burnley struck. Seemingly kept onside by Small, a bouncing cross from deep found an unmarked Unwin to head in from close-range.

The young left-back showed his first glimpse of quality in the second -half though. His wicked left-footed cross was headed towards goal by Ballard but turned over brilliantly by a fantastic glove of Sam Walker.

Small then forced him into a strong save from an increasingly tight angle, as Saints looked to find a way back in.

Substitute keeper Wright briefly made himself the hero with a strong penalty save from Max Thompson, after Simeu had tripped a forward in box, to keep the young Saints in it.

Tucker then completed the misery with a really nicely hit free-kick from the edge of the area with just over 15’ to play, over the wall and low into the far left corner beyond Wright – Saints didn’t look like getting back into it from there.

Saints B XI: Lewis (Wright 30’); Payne, Simeu ©, Lancashire, Small (Lett 60’); Chauke, Doyle, Watts, Olaigbe; Ballard, Mitchell

Unused subs: Otseh-Taiwo, Burnett, Smith

Booked: Watts, Simeu

Sent off: Lewis (30’)

Attendance: 664