JJ Gabriel on fire as he leads Man Utd U18s to victory in FA Youth Cup

JJ Gabriel hit the only goal of the game as Manchester United U18s made a winning return to the FA Youth Cup beating Peterborough United 1-0 in the third round.

Darren Fletcher's young side will now face either Cambridge United or Derby County at the next stage after the U18s dominated from the start.

Right winger Bendito Mantato pounced on a heavy Peterborough touch and won the ball back inside the visitors' 18-yard area before squaring for Louie Bradbury, who was disappointed to roll his first-time right-footed effort wide.

Gabriel then saw a left-footed effort blocked as United dictated the tempo and the pressure grew on Peterborough.

And then Brown squared for Gabriel on the edge of the box, who opened up his body and slotted home coolly on his right foot.

The onslaught continued with Peterborough defending valiantly with Brown and Mantato both seeing shots blocked before Gabriel also had an effort deflected.

Peterborough had spent much of the first 45 minutes showing spirit to defend in their own half, but they began to pose more of a threat at the other end after the interval.

Luca Christoudias's free-kick - albeit high and wide of Cameron Byrne-Hughes's goal - was a reminder that our lead remained slender.

Mantato had United's first notable opening of the half, chopping inside from the right before firing his fierce left-footed shot over the crossbar.

Next it was captain Jim Thwaites to be denied on his left foot, this time with a block from a defender, before Mantato had his latest attempt saved by Westcott, who bravely came rushing from his goal to get his frame in the way of Shah's powerful rebound.

Gabriel turned and drove towards goal, determined to double his and his team's tally for the evening, but shot over after finding an appropriate angle on the edge of the box.

As the game entered its final 15 minutes, Peterborough continued to pose a danger at one end, but it was the young Reds having the better chances at the other.

Thwaites struck a free-kick well but it was just a tad too central and gathered by Westcott, despite an initial fumble, before Mantato lifted his latest effort over from a tight angle.

Despite not being able to break through again, United kept cool in the closing stages and the five added minutes of stoppage time.

Lucca Mendoca's sliding shot on the stretch in the final seconds was cleared away and as nervy as it got for Fletcher's side, who had a chance to make it 2-0 with the last kick of the game, but substitute Jay McEvoy dragged wide on the break. Just the one goal would prove enough, though.