SWINDON Town head coach Luke Williams says there are lessons to be learnt from last night’s friendly defeat to Reading.

Town continued their preparations for the new campaign, which starts at home to Coventry City two weeks on Saturday, with a 2-1 loss to the Championship side at the County Ground.

Swindon had taken the lead in first-half injury time when John Goddard saw his long-range effort deflected into the net.

However, poor defending in the dying stages saw Town concede twice in 10 minutes to slip to their first defeat of the summer.

Williams, who made four changes in the second half, including removing Yaser Kasim from the fold, admitted that may have been the difference on the night.

“We’ve learnt how important certain players are and we have seen some more of the qualities of the new players that have joined us,” he told BBC Wiltshire.

“I think there was a lot there for us to consider and a lot of positives for us to take away.

“We’re very disappointed to see a lack of concentration that led to a catalogue of mistakes and then in the end to concede to goals that were very easy was quite distressing.

“After a long period without really feeling under threat, plenty of possession in the Reading side without causing us too many problems – we felt very comfortable.

“We removed some players from the team that were crucial and maybe with that little bit more calmness and composure (then we would have been okay).

“You look at Yaser, who looks completely unfazed in all situations - to remove those players then you know it is going to be a little bit more difficult.”

Seven of the starting XI, which did not include striker Jonathan Obika as he was rested for fatigue, played the full 90 minutes on a stifling evening at the County Ground.

Williams says that as pre-season progresses, with three games still remaining, he will start to show his hand when it comes to a likely line-up for their opening game of the season.

“We’re trying to give everybody plenty of opportunity to be on the pitch at this moment,” he added.

“As we draw closer towards the Coventry game, I think we will see the strongest team on the pitch for longer and a few less changes so that we can start to get those boys ready for 90 minutes of football.”