SWINDON Town’s hopefuls were handed a stern examination of their credentials in their surprise trip to non-league Solihull Moors this evening.

In a clash only announced on Monday afternoon, Town pitted their usual mix of first-team players and trialists against their hosts, who ply their trade in National League North – the rebranded Conference North – and were made to fight for every inch in the Midlands before they were eventually bested 3-1.

Swindon also handed a berth to an unnamed Croatian midfielder, who played the second 45 minutes in the heart of midfield.

The hosts’ Darryl Knights had the first attempt of the evening with a dipping volley and when trialist Jake Nicholson was caught in possession at the back, Moors’ James Armson was in on goal but his weak attempted finish was gleefully gathered by Tyrell Belford.

With 17 minutes on the clock, carelessness at the back was punished as Anton Rodgers dwelled on the ball, attempted a Cruyff turn, and was subsequently robbed of possession by Knights, with the Solihull man taking his time before delicately slotting home past Belford to open the scoring.

In reply, Miles Storey had a low shot knocked away by goalie Danny Lewis and Town were back on level terms by the half-hour mark, patient build-up play ending with Nicholson smartly sliding in Fabien Robert, allowing the Frenchman to jink past Lewis and tap into the empty net.

But seven minutes before the break, the home side led 2-1 after a spell of head tennis and a mistimed tackle saw the ball fall to striker Akwasi Asante, who stretched to slide a low effort into the bottom corner, restoring the non-league side’s advantage.

And on the stroke of half-time, Town found themselves two goals down after Belford made a fine save to keep out Theo Streete’s header.

From the resultant corner, fellow defender Gareth Dean was able to chest the ball down and his volley took a devilish deflection, with his strike zipping past the entirety of the Swindon before finding a way over the line.

Both sides rung wholesale changes in the second period, with only Belford, Brad Barry and goalscorer Robert remaining from the 11 that took to the field in the first half, and with Moors adopting a similar approach, the contest inevitably ground to a halt.

Robert and Jon Obika both saw headers sail high over the crossbar whilst the hosts Andy Brown got his head on the end of a promising counter-attack but his attempt was too weak to trouble Belford.

Jack Byrne’s rising star had to be plucked from the air by the Town stopper but the lion’s share of the match saw the two teams cancel each other out as their respective pre-season programmes rumble on.

SWINDON TOWN (First half): Tyrell Belford, Nathan Thompson, James Brophy, Raphael Branco, Jake Nicholson, Jack Jebb, Anton Rodgers, Brad Barry, Miles Storey, Michael Smith, Fabien Robert.

SWINDON TOWN (Second half): Tyrell Belford, Nathan Byrne, Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill, Kevin Stewart, Jordan Williams, A Trialist, Brad Barry, Lee Marshall, Fabien Robert, Josh Cooke, Jon Obika.