TOWN under 18s coach Scott Lindsey thought his side could have forced extra time after a late rally saw them lose out 3-2 to Oxford United in the FA Youth Cup at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday night.

First half goals from Jordan Graham, who got a brace, and AJ George put the home side 3-0 up before the break. Playing in a style modelled on the first team, Town’s youngsters never gave up and a late fightback saw them score twice in the last 10 minutes, Callum McCormack and Tommy Ouldridge getting the goals.

That late push affirmed the youth boss’ belief that his side were close to getting a result, as well as teaching him that his side were capable of handling the pressure of a big occasion.

“We were disappointed to go in a half-time 3-0 down, we’ve ironed a few problems out and we had a right go at the end and could have nicked it,” said Lindsey. “I’m pleased with the way the lads reacted in the second half.”

“We play on a park every week in front of nobody and there’s a little bit of added pressure, with a little bit of a crowd, in a stadium, under floodlights, you find a little bit more out about them so it’s good for their development.

“It’s also good for me to find out a little bit more about them in terms of their mentality.”

Town started the game on the back foot with Oxford pressing high, looking to negate their visitor’s keep-ball style.

United’s pacey front three of Muctaru Conte, George and George Jeacock were causing Town some problems. Conte was first to go close, cutting in from the left and testing Aaron Moody’s glove. Town’s keeper was strong enough to tip over but it was a warning sign.

Oxford’s opener came in the 12th minute, breaking from a Town corner, Oxford’s counter saw Freddie Grant weight a lovely pass from the left to put Jordan Graham clear to slot past Moody.

It went from bad to worse soon after Ryan Wood felled George in the box, leaving referee Andrew Tonks with no choice but to point to the spot. George got up to coolly slot past Moody and double the lead.

Swindon continued to have the better of the play for the remainder half but struggled to create anything clear cut.

Despite their clear possession advantage Lindsey’s side found themselves three down before the break. Graham scoring his second of the game with a simple header from Conte’s cross.

Town came out and were the better side after the break but Moody nearly gifted Oxford a fourth. Surrendering the ball and stranded out on the right-hand side, the keeper left Tom Smith and the rest of the Town defence scrambling but fortunately George blazed wide when well placed.

Town kept playing and Will Randall nearly got one back after lovely build-up between Josh Cook and Ouldridge created a tap-in, but Miles Welch-Hayes made a miraculous block to clear off the line.

It came a little late but Town did get their goal. In the 83rd minute Randall beat his defender down the outside and slid a teasing ball across goal for McCormack to slide home at the far post.

Ouldridge made the last five minutes very interesting as he brought Town right back into the contest. Amir Gied jinked past the U’s full-back on the left and cut back for the substitute to place past U's keeper Jack Stevens from close range.

Town pushed but no chance was forthcoming as Oxford saw out the tie.

Town: Aaron Moody; Luke Matthews, Ryan Wood, Tom Smith; Joe English (Young, 75), Jake Evans (Ouldridge, 56) , Lee Marshall, Callum McCormack, Will Randall; Josh Cook, Amir Gied.

Subs: Tommy Ouldridge, Claude Da Costa, Nathan Marks, Jordan Young, Matt Evans