Pompey took a giant stride towards the Leasing.com Trophy knockout stages with victory over Norwich U21s at Fratton Park.

Ellis Harrison made the most of fine passes from academy players Eoin Teggart and Josh Flint to bag a brace in the Southern Group B contest.

And it was a debut to remember for Flint, who lashed home a goal of his own in an entertaining fixture.

Thomas Scully came off the bench to reduce the Canaries’ deficit, but it was a mostly comfortable occasion for the Blues.

Kenny Jackett made six changes from the side that beat Crawley in the last group fixture 11 days earlier.

There were debuts for teenage academy players Flint and Teggart, while Joe Hancott – who became the club’s youngest player when fielded in this competition two years ago – also started.

A fit-again Oli Hawkins made his first appearance of the season in the centre of defence, with Andy Cannon and Anton Walkes the others to return.

Alex Bass, James Bolton, Sean Raggett – featuring against his parent club – Leon Maloney and Harrison kept their places in the starting line-up.

It was a bright start in the south coast sunshine, with both sides playing on the front foot and looking to attack.

But the hosts were more threatening and Ciaren Jones – under pressure from Harrison – had to turn behind Teggart’s cross.

The same duo combined again moments later and Canaries keeper Archie Mair kept out Harrison’s header from point-blank range.

So it did not exactly come as a surprise to see the duo play pivotal roles in the hosts’ opening goal on 10 minutes.

Teggart whipped in a delivery from the left that was met by Maloney at the back post. He nodded the ball into the centre, where HARRISON headed home from a couple of yards out.

A clever pass from Cannon was missed by Harrison midway through the first half, but Teggart collected the ball and Jordan Thomas made a key block.

Norwich had opportunities of their own, but were limited to long-range efforts that did not trouble Bass.

The best chance came following a surging run through the centre from Aidan Fitzpatrick, with the resulting shot flashing narrowly past the post.

Teggart was impressing down the left and Saul Milovanovic had to make a crude challenge to halt one charge, earning a yellow card from referee Brett Huxtable.

Harrison tried to double the lead before the break, spotting Mair off his line and attempting an audacious effort from the halfway line, but screwed the ball wide.

A second goal did arrive moments later, however, with Teggart again playing a key role by crossing from out wide

The ball was headed back by Harrison for FLINT and although the Waterlooville youngster saw his first effort saved, he collected the ball, turned and sent a rocket into the roof of the net.

Half Time: Pompey 2 Norwich U21 0

There was a break in play soon after the restart when Raggett required treatment following a clash of heads, but the centre-back was able to carry on.

Another fine cross from Teggart was then just too high for the onrushing Maloney, as the Blues went in search of more goals.

And the hosts did strengthen their advantage on the hour mark, when Flint slipped a neat pass through to HARRISON.

The striker – wearing the captain’s armband for the day – took a neat first touch before slotting the ball into the net.

Pompey appeared to be cruising, but they received a jolt when Norwich pulled a goal back on 67 minutes.

Raggett took a heavy touch and the ball fell for substitute Scully, who hit a fine angled strike into the top corner.

There was a welcome introduction soon after, with Maloney making way for Ryan Williams, giving the Australian winger his second debut for the club.

Ben Close and John Marquis were also brought on for Flint and Teggart, with the youngsters all receiving warm applause as they made their way off.

Harrison should have completed a hat-trick after being left unmarked to meet Cannon’s free-kick on 77 minutes, but directed his header straight at Mair.

And Marquis almost added a fourth goal late on when he raced onto Williams' pass, only for Mair to stick out a boot and divert the ball to safety.

Mair again used his foot to keep out a goal-bound Marquis shot in stoppage-time, moments after Cannon had flashed an effort past the post.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Bass; Bolton, Hawkins, Raggett, Hancott; Walkes, Cannon; Maloney (Williams 71), Flint (Close 72), Teggart (Marquis 77); Harrison (c)
Goals: Harrison 10, 60, Flint 44
Subs not used: McGee, Downing, Burgess, Pitman

Norwich U21 (4-4-1-1): Mair; Thomas, Jones (Omobamidele 73), Famewo (c), Nizet; Fitzpatrick, McAlear, Milovanovic, Adshead; Ahadme (Scully 61); Thorvaldsson (Hondermarck 85)
Goals: Scully 67
Booked: Milovanovic
Subs not used: Johnson, Parsons

Referee: Brett Huxtable

Attendance: 2,855 (7 away fans)