PAUL Bodin believes Town’s youngsters will have learnt a valuable lesson after the reserves threw away a five-goal lead to draw with Torquay at the County Ground yesterday.

A hat-trick from trialist striker John Campbell, birthday boy David Ball’s strike and an Alan Sheehan penalty put Swindon firmly in control at the break and deservedly so.

But Torquay were a completely different proposition after the break and, led by midfielder Billy Kee - who netted a treble of his own - they fought back to salvage the most unlikely of draws.

It left youth team boss Paul Bodin, who was in charge of the second string yesterday, somewhat deflated but confident that the younger element of his side will benefit from the experience.

“To be 5-0 up and only come away with a point is something I don’t think has ever happened in my career,” said Bodin. “It was the proverbial game of two halves. I thought we played really well in the first half and it was a fantastic performance by everybody.

“But then in the second half we were forced into a couple of changes, which didn’t really help.

“A lot of the younger boys look to the senior players, and maybe the younger players didn’t react in the right way. They have to dig in and make their own mark, rather than waiting and hoping for the senior ones to do it.

“It’s a tough learning curve. We knew they would come out all guns blazing after half-time, but we certainly didn’t envisage them scoring five in reply.”

It was Campbell, attempting to earn a full-time deal in Wiltshire, who opened the scoring for Swindon on 14 minutes. David Ball latched on to a mistake from Gulls defender Ed Palmer, raced clear and pulled the ball back for his non-league strike partner to stroke home.

Romone Rose struck a fierce drive against the bar for the visitors, but at the other end it was soon 2-0 as Campbell finished cooly on the half-volley.

By the 27th minute Town had made it three - Ball cutting across the edge of the area before drilling a low shot past Torquay keeper Danny Potter. And the stopper was beaten for the fourth time as Campbell flicked home Paul Caddis’ cross at the near post to complete a remarkable individual performance.

They were not finished there though, and when a piece of outrageous skill from Billy Bodin led Potter to upend him inside the area, Alan Sheehan seemingly put the contest out sight before half-time.

But no-one had told the Gulls, who came out for the second period with a point to prove. Kee tucked away a penalty nine minutes after the restart and they quickly grew in confidence.

The same player raced past Michael Timlin and Will Evans before reducing the areas further, and then ex-County Ground youngster Lloyd Macklin bundled in from close range to make it 5-3.

When veteran Martin Gritton looped home a header with time running out Swindon looked shellshocked, and the comeback was completed with a minute remaining as Kee struck a 25-yard free-kick past Mark Scott.

TOWN (4-4-2): Mark Scott; Paul Caddis (Josh Parsons 63), Will Evans, Dan Evans, Alan Sheehan (Abdul Said 48); Miles Storey, Nathan Thompson (c), Michael Timlin, Billy Bodin; John Campbell (Seb Broomfield 63), David Ball Subs not used: Leigh Bedwell, Harry Grant

TORQUAY (4-5-1): Danny Potter (c); Danny Senda, Chris Robertson, Ed Palmer, Lathanial Rowe-Turner; Wayne Carlisle, Billy Kee, Damon Lathrope; Romone Rose (Saul Halpin 68), Martin Gritton, Lloyd Macklin Subs not used: TJ Heal, Ray Spears, Ashley Yeoman