TEENAGE striker Scott Twine admits it would have been easy for boss Phil Brown to overlook him as the pressure ramps up during Swindon Town’s push for the League Two play-offs.

Brown was forced to shuffle his pack for the visit of Yeovil Town to the Energy Check County Ground on Tuesday night, with Luke Norris and Kellan Gordon having both suffered dislocated shoulders in Swindon’s previous two League Two matches.

Former Hull City manager Brown opted to send Twine into the fray against the Glovers, handing the former Town academy player a maiden first-team start as the midweek contest ended in a frustrating 2-2 draw.

That was just a second senior appearance for the 18-year-old overall, with Twine having made his debut on the final day of last season away at Charlton Athletic.

As Town face a battle to achieve their ambition of a place in the end-of-season play-offs – with just four games remaining to achieve that, starting away at Newport County on Saturday – Twine is well aware that Brown could easily have opted to trust more experienced players, so was thrilled to get his chance.

“Phil has helped me a lot. He’s put his trust in me and that’s not easy to do for a manager – especially to put his trust in someone that hasn’t played much,” said Twine.

“I can’t thank him enough for giving me the chance.

“Phil kept telling me if I continue to work hard my chance will come. Thankfully that’s happened this week.”

Twine initially started on the left-hand side of midfield against Yeovil before moving into a more natural central position as the game went on.

Having been a keen observer from the substitutes bench in recent weeks, Twine is making the most of every opportunity to improve his game.

“I learned from other games,” said Twine, who was on loan at National League South side Chippenham Town earlier this season.

“The manager has been here for a few weeks now and I try to learn every day where I might be playing.

“Being on the left wasn’t that alien to me.

“I thought being in the centre I was going to hurt Yeovil more.”

Brown was impressed by what he saw from the youngster on his first start in professional football and has high hopes for what Twine can achieve in the game.

“I got Scott’s parents in before the game.

“I told them to relax – his dad was a lot more nervous, if truth be known,” said Brown.

“I told them to relax and enjoy it because this kid has got something.

“What he’s got is a belief in himself, a belief in his own ability, and when he can handle the ball in any situation.

“I think what Scott’s got is support of the group. He’s got support of the staff too.

“I look at the player that’s going to blossom, certainly at this football club if not a higher level.

“He’s got a good technique and a good attitude towards hard work, he wants to play up top.

“He can carry the ball into the opposition half, he’s got that quality and confidence.

“Maybe he lacks a bit of physicality but he doesn’t get knocked off the ball because he’s brave, he wants the ball and accepts it.

“Hopefully he’s got a great career to go onto.

“I’ve given debuts to lots and lots of players – I’m more excited by this kid than I have for a few.”