SWINDON Town U18s were held to a 1-1 draw by Luton Town in their opening game of their Merit League One campaign at the weekend.

Having finished joint second with Bristol Rovers in the Youth Alliance South West Division, after picking up 28 points from their 18 games, Alan McLoughlin’s side moved into the top tier of the Merit League.

Scott Twine gave them a first-half lead at Stanley Park with a well-taken goal, but the hosts were punished for not putting the game to bed as the Hatters came back in the second half and after hitting the crossbar twice in quick succession, the equaliser came with 15 minutes remaining.

Town had the chance to respond almost immediately when Twine was brought down in the box, but skipper Jordan Young skied a penalty over the bar with what was his last kick of the game.

Sol Pryce then saw an effort cleared off the line before substitute Jordan Edwards headed Jordan Simpson’s cross to the back post over the top as McLoughlin had to settle for the point.

“We were absolutely outstanding in the first half in every department, apart from maybe getting three or four goals,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we got to half-time and thought we had got the job done.

“We warned them and they warned themselves about complacency and we have gifted them the game.

“It was a poor goal to concede, poor defending and just that thing I have been talking about all season - you need to defend. When the chips are down, can someone defend in that one-on-one situation?

“(Luton) will be pleased that they have come away with a draw and I’m disappointed that we have drawn.

“There was fantastic play at times which was a joy to watch but we need to be a little bit more clinical.”

Many of the side who featured on Saturday have experience for in Town's development team under Ross Embleton this season and McLoughlin would like to see even more of his young prodigies given the chance to prove themselves.

“It’s important that they play in the development league,” he added. “If you’ve got a big first-team squad, which we currently do have, then they get limited time.

“I would like them to play more games but with the amount of players at the club, positions are only available for a few.”

Swindon play host to South West Division champions Exeter City this Saturday (11am).

SWINDON TOWN U18S: Dan Lawrence; Will Christopher, Joe Romanski, Christian Frimpong (Mason Hathaway 65), Louis Spalding; James Georgaklis, Jordan Simpson, Jordan Young (Jordan Edwards 77), Callum Gunner (Ollie Rejek 88); Scott Twine, Sol Pryce.