Norwich City Under-21s are on the verge of elimination from the EFL Trophy, after a 3-1 defeat to the first team of League One promotion hopefuls Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Canaries loanee Sean Raggett was able to feature for the hosts, starting in central defence as Kenny Jackett made six changes to his starting XI for Pompey, who led 2-0 at half-time.

Ellis Harrison and young debutant Josh Flint had put Portsmouth in control but former Ipswich forward Harrison made sure of the win on the hour mark, in front of a crowd of 2,855 this lunchtime - including a hardy seven away fans.

City development squad boss David Wright responded with his first change, bringing Tom Scully on for Gassan Ahadme, and it brought a consolation goal from the substitute.

Scully seized on a poor touch from Raggett in the Pompey defence and lashed a shot into the top-left corner to bring the score to 3-1, with Canaries keeper Archie Mair stopping the hosts from extending their lead with a string of late saves.

Republic of Ireland U21 striker Adam Idah was not involved, as he is expected to be on the bench for the first team for this evening's Premier League clash with Manchester City at Carrow Road (5.30pm).

The defeat follows a narrow 2-1 loss at another League One side last week, Oxford United, and leaves Norwich bottom of Southern Group B with one game to play.

City go to League Two side Crawley Town on Tuesday, October 1 (7.45pm) with qualification now very unlikely. If Oxford get a point from their remaining two games then the young Canaries will not be able to make the knockout stages.

It was a first goal of the season for Everton academy product Scully, who had started the game at Oxford and set up Shae Hutchinson for the City goal at the Kassam Stadium.

The game was played today as Portsmouth had been left without a league game following Bury's elimination from League One due to their financial crisis, which had left Pompey without a league game today.

City U21s: Mair; Thomas, Jones (Omobamidele 73), Famewo (C), Nizet; Fitzpatrick, McAlear, Milovanovic, Adshead; Ahadme (Scully 61); Thorvaldsson (Hondermarck 85)