A thrilling climax to the FA Premier League Academy season saw the Blades go down to a 4-3 defeat against champions Sunderland at Shirecliffe on Monday.

United gave the young Black Cats a tough examination before eventually succumbing to an injury-time winner, despite leading 2-0 and 3-1.

Fifteen year-old Jack Adams made it five goals in five appearances at U18s level, to add to the strike on his reserve team debut against Rotherham last week. Scott Boden and a screamer from Algerian-bound Aymen Tahar were the other United scorers.

In a pulsating contest the hosts took the lead in the 17th minute, when ADAMS tapped in Tahar's cross from the right.

After both teams had squandered further chances, BODEN volleyed home United's second in the 35th minute, following an excellent passing move on the left.

The second-half yielded another five goals, with Sunderland pulling one back in the 62nd minute through GALER.

Three minutes later, though, TAHAR, who will join up with the Algerian youth squad next week, smashed in an unstoppable right-footed effort from 25 yards.

The visitors then scored two goals in seven minutes to set up a frantic finale. LUSCOMBE finished off free-flowing moves, as the United defence failed to deal with the mounting pressure.

Deep into injury-time HOURIHANE fired home after Sunderland caught the Blades on the counter attack, to give the Mackems all three-points, this was rough justice on the home side after an enthralling encounter.

Coach Kevin Fogg said: "This season has seen us develop a lot of players and many of them are featuring for both the Academy and reserves on a regular basis.

"Jack Adams has made a massive impression for a lad of his age and that can only be a seen as a major plus.

"Looking back at the game against Sunderland, we should have managed to see out the contest, but full credit to them and that performance underlines why they are divisional champions."

Blades: Ho Lee, Smith (Booker 68), Walker, Reid, Chanot, Lowton, Askham, Yates (Hague 80), Boden (S-Latef 70), Adams, Tahar
Unused: Gee, Senicanin.