Leicester took the lead from the spot shortly before 30 minutes of play and while Chelsea challenged, the hosts kept their single-goal lead intact until 68 minutes.

Joe Haigh popped up with a moment of magic to bring our youngsters back into the game, but Leicester would shortly regain their advantage. Terell Pennant restored their lead with just over a quarter of the game to play.

Myles Peart-Harris was introduced before the hour to bring his return from injury and it was the attacker who made sure our Under-18s would leave east Midlands with a point, scoring from close range in injury time. The draw leaves our Under-18s in sixth place after 18 games on 27 points.

Starting XI

For Saturday’s game Ed Brand named five changes to the side which lost at Crystal Palace. Prince Adegoke was back between the sticks as his return from injury continued, while Luke Badley-Morgan, Derrick Abu and Alex Kpakpe returned to the side. The final change came in attack where Edwin Andersson replaced Ronnie Stutter, meaning Joe Haigh led the line.

The reverse fixture was played back in November and our youngsters ran riot at Cobham that morning. A four-goal lead at half-time was complemented by a further four in the second half as Chelsea brushed the Foxes aside with ease.

Action-packed beginning

We started on time in near-perfect conditions at Leicester’s new training ground. However in contrast to our previous meeting it was a fairly even start to the game. Andersson saw a chance trickle wide of the target while Adegoke made an easy stop from a soft Leicester attempt.

Our youngsters were finding some joy in the final third, though, but struggled to apply the finishing touch as the home defence stood firm and looked to get forward whevener possible.

Leicester went close to an opener after 12 minutes, their counter-move caught Chelsea short at the back. The referee played advantage in midfield and a hopeful ball forward gave the home attacker something to chase.

After getting the better of Badley-Morgan he lifted the ball over Adegoke and towards the net. Thankfully the shot was off target, bouncing back off the crossbar, but the danger wasn’t done there. The rebound fell kindly for Twanda Maswanhise who struck the post with his effort.

The double strike of the woodwork was just a warning sign from Leicester as moments later they had the ball in the net. However the official on the far side raised his flag to signal an offside in the build-up and the goal was chalked off.

There was more to come from the hosts though, and when Adegoke rushed off his line to clear the danger he was judged to have fouled Joe Wormleighton in the process. After a lengthy wait due to Charlie Webster’s injury, Brandon Cover found the net for the opening goal of the afternoon.

Ending the half strong

Chelsea tried to get a goal back before half-time, Bashir Humphreys the closest. The captain, who scored his first goal of the season last weekend, wanted to get on the scoresheet again and almost did with a spectacular effort 25 yards from goal. Having beaten the keeper, only the crossbar would deny our youngsters a much-deserved equaliser and we ended the half a goal down.

Haigh finds hope but Leicester score again

There was a lot less match action in the second-half but it was turning into a feisty affair with the referee’s book filling up with names quickly. We knew if we were to take something from the game it needed taking control of quickly.

After winning a free-kick 25 yards from the target, Haigh stepped up to try and improve on his attempt against Crystal Palace in the week which bounced off the crossbar. Unfortunately, this time he watched on as the ball kissed the post on its way behind.

Haigh’s spirit wasn’t dampened though as moments later he got the goal he deserved. Thomas raced into the box from the left and squared for the 18-year-old, who forced his way through the defence and prodded home the leveller.

However our joy wasn’t to last long. Terell Pennant picked his spot from the corner of the box to regain the goal advantage for the hosts. It was a good effort that our defenders could do nothing to stop.

Peart-Harris at the death

Having come from behind once already on the afternoon it was down to the players to find the fighting spirit again. Haigh almost hit back when Humphreys threaded a pass through the defence, but a good stop from the keeper shut out the attempt.

When we won a corner-kick deep into injury time the players knew it would be one of the last chances at scoring they would get. Jimi Tauriainen swung the ball in and over the keeper, where Peart-Harris was waiting to head into an empty net. The goal on his return would go on to earn a valuable point for the team who had to show resilience twice to make sure of a result on Saturday.

There was barely any time for Leicester to get the game restarted before the full-time whistle sounded and a hard-fought point was the reward for Brand’s boys.

What’s next?

Up next for the boys is a trip to Southampton. Kick-off next week Saturday is 11am.

Chelsea (3-4-2-1) Prince Adgoke; Josh Brooking, Charlie Wiggett, Luke Badley-Morgan; Derrick Abu, Charlie Webster (Jimi Tauriainen 27), Bashir Humphreys (c), Alex Kpakpe (Alfie Gilchrist 46); Silko Thomas, Edwin Andersson (Myles Peart-Harris 56); Joe HaighUnused subs Ted Curd, Aleksi HeinoBooked Tauriainen 51; Haigh 55; Brooking 77Scorers Haigh 68; Peart-Harris 90+1

Leicester Kelechi Cubueze, Johnly Levi Yfeko, Daniel Obi, Azeem Abdullah, Brandon Cover, Sammy Braybroke, Twanda Maswanhise, Wanya Marcal-Madivadua, Terell Pennant (Jack Butterfill 84), Joe Wormleighton, Kian PennantUnused subs Arlo Dohert, Jasper Kutshitnza, Freddie Cooke, Kartell DawkinsBooked Jethro Maswanhise 52; Braybroke 64; Daniel Obi 87Scorers Cover 27 (pen); T Pennant 73