SWINDON Town manager Luke Williams believes that blooding young talent is the way forward after being forced to shuffle his pack prior to their 1-0 defeat away at Vale Park.

A goal from Port Vale skipper Carl Dickinson in the sixth minute handed the hosts all three points but the Town boss saw plenty to be positive about.

Swindon were left filling round holes with square pegs at Vale Park as Jordan Turnbull (hamstring niggle) Raphael Branco (groin) and Nicky Ajose (concussion) all missed the game, with Michael Doughty forced to fill in at the heart of the defence.

Swindon also named just six substitutes but Williams used the opportunity to hand cameo appearances to Lee Marshall and 16-year-old Jordan Young, Town’s fourth-youngest ever player, as they both impressed from the bench.

“If I was a Swindon Town fan and I saw Jordan Young come on the pitch tonight, it would give me a buzz – to know that he is a player who has come through the ranks and has got that attachment to the club and you know he wants to do well and fight for the cause,” Williams told BBC Wiltshire.

“That, I think, is the way forward. Of course we have got to balance the squad and make sure there is some experience in there as well.

“We knew Rafa wasn’t going to play, but Jordan Turnbull travelled with the squad and then complained of a sore hamstring and was withdrawn from the squad very late.

“I think by the weekend, both Raphael and Jordan have the chance to be fit.”

Despite going a goal behind early on, Swindon rallied against a Vale team content on sitting back and hitting their opposition on the counter attack and Williams believes on another night, they could have taken something from the game.

“I find it difficult to accept the goal because it is a set-piece and people have got clear instructions from set-pieces,” he added.

“We created chances to score as well, so I was a little frustrated.

“I thought we created some good opportunities for Jon (Obika) and I am sure on a different night they go in.”

Yaser Kasim missed out on a deadline day move away from the County Ground but Williams believes his chance to move to a higher division will come.

“I think it went right down to the wire with Yaser,” he said.

“Yaser will get there – he will play at the top level.”