SWINDON Town manager Phil Brown conceded his side were schooled by Chelsea U21s tonight as they were beaten 4-0 at the Energy Check County Ground.

The Checkatrade Trophy tie, which saw Toumani Diagouraga and Sid Nelson feature for Town for the first time this season, was made up of a mixed XI as Brown rotated his squad.

There were seven changes in total from the weekend’s opening League Two win at home to Macclesfield Town, but Kyle Knoyle, Jordan Young and Jak McCourt all going off injured, Brown will have plenty to think about ahead of Saturday’s trip to Lincoln City.

Post-match Brown admitted his side were simply not good enough against the Blues’ youngsters.

“I thought it was a lesson in football, if the truth be known,” he said.

“Many times, I have said that the surface we play on is going to test us and certainly we can play. We did on Saturday, but we didn’t tonight.

“We had to defend in numbers tonight and be resolute. Then all of a sudden, we commit the cardinal sin and gave the ball away.

“In the hard yards we do in pre-season, we work on shape and things like that, but when you have the ball, you have got to enjoy the ball and Chelsea certainly enjoyed the ball.

“They showed us how to play tonight. They were the better team, I’m not going to pull any punches.

“They had some very good players. Their motivation was to play in a Football League stadium against a League team and they showed a whole host of scouts and managers what they’re capable of.

“Tonight, we didn’t play well enough.”

The former Hull City boss says the team selection had little impact on the final result as he attempted to rest players for this weekend clash against the Imps, as he admits it’s a fine balance to strike.

However, Brown says the club’s younger players will have benefitted from their Trophy outing.

“Hopefully, we have learned something tonight. The young lads will have, the likes of Sol Pryce – he came on and did very well,” he added.

“Joe Romanski was probably deservedly our man of the match. Scott Twine and Ellis Iandolo too, they all need to learn very quickly.

“The game is not about fancy control, it is about passing the ball, and if you work hard to get it back, it is important you don’t give it away.”