Ryan Taylor scored all three goals at the Britannia Stadium on Thursday night as the under-21 side went top of the league after victory in front of the Sky cameras.

Taylor scored just before the half hour but then turned the ball into his own goal just before the break but there was still time to fire a free-kick home to put his side in front at the interval.

Taylor's opening strike was a spectacular curled effort from the left wing that dropped over the City 'keeper but his clearance from a corner left Jak Alnwick helpless to level things.

But in added time Adam Campbell was tugged back on the edge of the box and Taylor stepped up to curl the ball around the wall and into the bottom corner to complete his unusual hat-trick.

Peter Beardsley's side managed to hold onto their lead throughout an entertaining second period despite the Potters going close on a number of occasions at the Britannia Stadium. 

However, Tom Heardman (able to play due to the terms of his loan to Gateshead), Callum Roberts and Gael Bigirimana all wasted chances to extend United's lead.