SWINDON Town U18s manager Alan McLoughlin said his side’s fightback from two goals down to claim a point against their Plymouth Argyle counterparts on Saturday was tinged with disappointment.

Playing with a strong wind on their backs, the visitors took the lead in the 24th minute at Stanley Park in Chippenham when Dan Rooney’s free-kick from a central position 25 yards out was headed home by Alex Fletcher.

Fletcher was on hand just eight minutes later to double the Pilgrims’ lead when he found the back of the net with a shot on the volley from Alex Battle’s cross from the left.

Town pulled a goal back five minutes before the break when Jordan Young played in Seb Martinez in the box, and his deflected shot fell kindly for Scott Twine to tap home at the back post.

It took just 13 minutes of the second half for Swindon to restore parity as Argyle goalkeeper Max Child’s fine save dropped to Twine, who was most alert to turn home.

Town were reduced to 10 men in the 81st minute when Young, who had spurned a good chance moments earlier, got a second yellow card for dissent.

“I’m disappointed,” said McLoughlin.

“Not with the way we started, because the wind did play a factor.

“They changed us around so we had to battle the wind and, to be honest, if they had got to half-time at 1-0, I would have been delighted.

“The first goal is a bad decision by the ref. It was a foul on Tom Ouldride – he didn’t give it.

“Then they get a free-kick and the lad has mishit it, and it has hit one of their players inadvertently and gone in. I can live with that one.

“The second one is just rank poor defending. The lad gets it wide and our two centre-halves get drawn ball-watching, and don’t mark the lad who scores.

“Then we got back in the game and dominated the game, and scored a good goal.

“Decision-making in the final third ended up costing us; not only in the first half, but in the second half.

“When players should be heading it, they are trying extravagant side or overhead kicks, which is ridiculous.

“In the second half, I knew we’d either come back and draw the game or win the game.

“It was a complete domination in terms of possession but they did look a threat counter-attacking and we looked a little bit panicky.

“We had enough good chances to win the game.

“They have made strides this year but unfortunately, one incident of poor defending and numerous chances go begging, and you’re going to end up drawing a game.”

Swindon host Cambridge United this Saturday in search of a first win in EFL Merit League One.