DEFENDER Quade Taylor was the match winner as Wanderers Under-21s beat Manchester City to lift the Manchester Senior Cup yesterday.

The 21-year-old headed home from Tom Walker's corner just five minutes into the final at City's football academy at Eastlands and it was enough to win the cup for the Whites.

Coach Iain Brunskill picked a side that included nine players who have had first-team experience despite their young age, including Walker, recent debutant Rob Holding and Alex Finney, who was an unused substitute for the senior side at Blackburn on Friday night.

Wanderers began brightly with Taylor's early goal and Hayden White could have doubled the lead from a similar set-piece.

City stopper Billy O'Brien was kept busy by the Whites and was on hand again to deny Jamie Thomas after he weaved his way through the home side's back line to get a shot on target.

City responded and Taylor made a good block to deny Thierry Ambrose.

But it was Wanderers who went close again before the break when Thomas saw a strike deflected wide and then had what looked a good shout for a penalty turned down.

In the second period, Wanderers soaked up City pressure and Harry Campbell was on hand to deny Brahim Diaz a leveller when they did get past the stubborn visiting defence.

Substitute George Newell could have made it 2-0 but for another good save by O'Brien at his near post, while Walker and White also had chances to clinch it late on.

But the Whites needed Campbell to secure victory as he twice denied City from close-range at the death.

Wanderers U21s: Campbell, Maher, Kellett, Finney, Taylor, Twardzik, Holding, White, Woolery, Walker, Thomas (Newell 64). Subs not used: Fitzsimons, Campbell-Young, Ceberio, Perry.