READING FC Under 23s had Akinwale Odimayo sent off in a 3-2 defeat at Norwich City.

The 18-year-old defender was dismissed for an ill-timed challenge 10 minutes from time, with Royals drawing 2-2 having squandered a two-goal lead.

Royals boss Scott Marshall made nine changes and sent out a much younger side than the one which defeated Leicester City 2-0 in the Premier League International Cup on Friday thanks to Ethan Coleman and Ben House goals.

Goalkeeper Luke Southwood and striker Danny Loader were the only two survivors, with Loader adding to his tally by firing Royals into an eighth-minute lead against the Canaries.

Loader, 17, was running the home side ragged and he notched his third goal in two games seven minutes later to put the visitors 2-0 up, having struck the woodwork moments before.

However, Norwich reduced the arrears on the half-hour mark with a long-range strike from Simon Power that went in off the crossbar.

Royals then saw their two-goal lead wiped out when Adam Uche touched home Power’s cross early in the second half.

With momentum behind, Norwich’s task was made that much easier when Odimayo saw red in the 80th minute.

It proved a costly mistake as Anthony Spyrou was sent clean through before slotting past Southwood to secure the victory in Premier League 2.

Royals host Sunderland at Madejski Stadium this Saturday (1pm ko). Entry is free for season ticket holders, while tickets cost £3 adults and £1 concessions on the gate.

Reading U23: Southwood, Elva-Fountaine, Odimayo, Burley, Green, Omolabi, Rollinson, Sidoel (Coleman 57), Liddle (House 78), Loader (Frost 65), Nolan. Subs not used: Hillson, Osho.