Norwich City captain Grant Hanley played for the first time in seven months as the Canaries' under-21 side were beaten 4-3 by Tottenham Hotspur at Colney.

Hanley hadn't played competitively since sustaining a serious achilles injury in April's win over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, but played nearly three-quarters of the game as the Premier League 2 table toppers sealed a dramatic late win.

Yago Alonso opened the scoring for the away side in the eighth minute, slotting into the top of the net via Caleb Ansen’s failed attempt to block after Will Lankshear found him in space.

Hanley made his mark shortly thereafter, however, stopping Rio Kyerematen in his tracks with a trademark firm tackle.

The Scot was increasingly vocal as City pressed to get back into the game, although the London side were predictably dominant. Shortly after Hanley had smashed the ball beyond Colney’s small stand the Canaries were 2-0 down.

In the 25th minute Hanley was booked for clipping Nile John, before Norwich had their first meaningful attack in the 30th. Pedro Lima found Ken Aboh 15 yards out, but he dragged his shot wide with the aid of a deflection.

The same duo combined from the resulting corner, Aboh inexplicably lifting over from a yard after Lima’s flick-on found him at the far post. Hanley then tees-up Emmanuel Adegboyega to shoot from the edge of the box, before Jude Soonsup-Bell smacked Caleb Ansen’s crossbar in the City goal.

Gabriel Forsyth thought he’d halved the deficit midway through the second period when his free-kick dipped dangerously over the Tottenham wall, but he could only find the side-netting.

Hanley was replaced by Charlie Wilson in the 67th minute to a handful of applause from the City fans in attendance, and his exit was followed almost immediately by a goal for the home side.

Lima had already driven forward with purpose a number of times, and this time marked it with a deflected strike that looped over Luca Gunter for 2-1. Spurs restored their cushion shortly thereafter, however, Soonsup-Bell finding space to fire past Ansen.

Finley Welch’s curling shot dipped just over the bar as City pushed again to tighten the contest, and they were given the chance in the 77th minute, when Adian Manning was stopped by a stray Tottenham hand in the box. Aboh stepped up, cooly slotting into the bottom left.

The young City striker had his double and parity in the game four minutes later, nodding home Gabriel Forsyth’s corner to equalise.

Just as Alan Nielson’s side thought they’d rescued a hard-earned point, however, Tottenham found the winner, Lankshear finishing with aplomb from the edge of the area for 4-3.

Norwich City Under-21s: Ansen, McIntosh, Forsyth, Renecke, Hanley (Wilson 67), Adegboyega, Manning, Brooke, Welch, Aboh, Lima.

Unused subs: Craven, Djedje.

Bookings: Hanley (25)

Goals: Lima (70), Aboh (78, 81)

Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s: Gunter, Ashcroft, Sayers, Lyons-Foster, Dorrington, Cassanova, John, Kyerematen, Lankshear, Donley, Alonso (Soonsup-Bell 39).

Unused subs: Robson, Keeley, McKnight, Williams.

Goals: Alonso (8), Lankshear (20, 90+3), Soonsup-Bell (72)