Norwich City's under-21s were held to a 1-1 draw by Bristol City at Colney, leaving them without a win in their first two games in the Premier League Cup.

The point is the Canaries' first of the cup campaign after a shock loss to Exeter in their first group game, but they still have time to recover from their poor start with three fixtures left.

Errol Mundle-Smith's latest goal earned a point from a losing position for Alan Neilson's side, but he'll feel it could have been more after a missed penalty and a largely dominant performance.

Within six minutes the hosts were behind, Raphael Araoye converting after Tom Finch had done well to deny Omar Taylor Clarke. Mundle-Smith had the chance to equalise when he raced in behind just seconds later, but dragged wide with his weaker left foot.

Johannes Hoff Thorup has talked up the mission to create a club-wide style of play, and there were shades of his first team in the next attack constructed. Harmony Okwumo and Uriah Djedje were both involved before Elliot Myles slipped AJ Bridge through on goal, but his effort was tipped wide.

Myles then went even closer himself when he was tripped in the box, stepping up but seeing his shot saved from 12 yards.

Summer signing Brandon Forbes was next to try his luck, this time shooting from distance but firing just wide with visiting goalkeeper Jose Casa Grande stranded.

Norwich continued to dominate until the half's conclusion, but still couldn't find the elusive equaliser they needed.

It didn't take long after the break, however, Mundle-Smith dinling cutely beyond Casa Grande after Myles had redeemed himself with an inch-perfect through ball. It was the sort of goal that Thorup, in attendance, will have enjoyed.

Araoye then had a chance to restore the lead when a free-kick fell at his feet, but he couldn't sort them out in time to get his shot on target.

Mundle-Smith went through on goal again in the 69th minute when Bridge drove through the centre and found him in the box, his shot this time pushed wide from a tighter angle. Bridge found himself in a similar position shortly thereafter and this time went straight for goal, but curled just over.

The Robins' rebuttal eventually came in the 73rd minute when substitute Luke Skinner found space in the box, seeing his shot blocked well by Jaden Warner.

Olly Thomas and Harmony Okwumo both came close to late winners, but neither side was able to convert the point into three and they were made to settle for an entertaining draw.

City face Sunderland's under-21s in their next game, resuming their Premier League Cup campaign in November when they visit Bromley. 

NORWICH CITY: Finch (GK); Gee (Adelusi, 89), Warner (C), Wilson, Okwumo; Mahovo, Djedje (Manning, 75), Bridge; Forbes (Ogwuru, 75), Mundle-Smith, Myles (Roberts, 83). UNUSED SUBS: Bullen (GK).

Bookings: Myles (6), Gee (72)

Goals: Mundle-Smith (47)

BRISTOL CITY: Casa Grande, James, Ali, Taylor (Hooper, 45), Araoye, Murphy (C), Rose, Taylor Clarke (Hewlett, 71), Thomas, Bak (Skinner, 67), Pecover. UNUSED SUBS: Duncan, Filer.

Bookings: Murphy (10), Thomas (90+3), Ali (90+6)

Goals: Araoye (6)