SAINTS B suffered just their second defeat since October, going down 3-0 at Stoke City in Premier League 2.

Goals either side of half-time from Abdallah Sima put the Potters in control.

And the victory was wrapped up on 54 minutes, former Bournemouth striker Sam Surridge firing home.

Saints made some changes to their side which beat West Brom last time out with the likes of Lewis Payne, Kamari Doyle and Dom Ballard all rested ahead of Thursday's FA Youth Cup clash with Sheffield Wednesday.

Surridge missed a good chance for an early opener, before Saints saw a big penalty claim waved away when Caleb Watts went over in the box.

Nathan Broome then saved from Kazeem Olaigbe, before Olly Lancashire headed over the crossbar.

Those misses were punished just three minutes before the break when Brighton loanee Sima slid in to break the deadlock.

That lead was doubled soon after the restart, Sima again on hand to score unmarked at the back post.

The Potters quickly made it three as Surridge connected with a D'Margio Wright-Phillips cross.

Saints' cause was not helped with both Lancashire and Sam Bellis forced off through injury, Bellis himself having only come on at half-time to replace the injured Oludare Olufunwa.

Teddy Davey and Olaigbe tried their luck late on, but Stoke saw out a 3-0 victory.

Saints B are next in action against Arsenal in the Premier League Cup on Sunday.

Saints: Bycroft, Simeu, Lancashire (Tizzard, 59), Olufunwa (Bellis h-t, Davey 66)), Small, Chauke, Turner, Watts, Olaigbe, Otseh-Taiwo, Smith.

Unused sub: Wright.

  • Saints full-back Thierry Small has been nominated for the Premier League 2 player of the month award.

The 17-year-old enjoyed a fine November, helping Saints to two wins and also scoring in a 5-0 win over Newcastle.

Small has been nominated alongside Folarin Balogun (Arsenal), Ziyad Larkeche (Fulham), Sonny Perkins (West Ham), Luke Plange (Derby), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (Crystal Palace), Jon Rowe (Norwich) and Harvey White (Tottenham).

The winner will be decided by the Premier League Football Development Panel.