SWINDON Town once again showed their intention to play a passing style of football this season but they must learn not to give the ball away in key areas.

It was that trend in the second half in the friendly contest with Championship side Leeds United that proved costly as the visitors went home with a 2-1 victory.

Town went into the game against Leeds with a boost that they could just be about to add to their squad.

The club were given permission to play Southampton youngster Jordan Turnbull in the heart of their defence with the two sides looking to strike a deal for a longer temporary switch to the County Ground.

The opening 45 minutes was a typical pre-season match, neither side looking to go out all guns blazing in front of nearly 4,000 fans.

Mark Cooper would have been pleased with the way that his side passed the ball around, while youngsters Josh Lelan and Turnbull were on the whole comfortable with the ball at their feet, but what would have concerned the Town boss was that at times his side gave the ball away too easily.

As the game got underway it was clear that both teams were intent on keeping possession, playing patiently and working the way into finding an opening.

And it was Dave Hockaday’s Championship side that worked the first opening in the 13th minute when Michael Tonge broke free in the Town box and forced Wes Foderingham into action.

Then two minutes later Leeds were in front. Souleymane Doukara had spun away from his marker and slid the ball across the Town six yard box for Wales international Steve Morison to tuck home.

Neither side had really looked threatening up until that point and while it gave the half a bit more intent, the final 15 minutes of the period went back to just being nice.

However, before then, Town had managed to draw level after giving their visitors a couple of warnings.

The hosts went close on 27 minutes when a long ball from Massimo Luongo saw captain Nathan Thompson make a darting run into the Leeds box but his effort just went wide of Stuart Taylor’s post.

Swindon levelled matters four minutes later through Michael Smith after Yaser Kasim’s corner was flicked on by Raphael Branco and was half cleared to the Town striker to bury.

Leeds went 2-1 up early in the second-half when Nathan Thompson attempted to switch play but his cross-field ball was cut out and Rudy Austin took control.

The visiting midfielder played in Doukara but Foderingham took him out leaving referee Simon Hooper no choice but to point to the spot which Austin duly converted.

Town struggled to maintain their flow in the second half, giving the ball away too easily and spent periods chasing the game and Leeds shadows.

As the match petered out into the usual pre-season fare that is served up at this time of year, Town fans on the whole will be happy with the opening 45 minutes, the second on the other hand still needs some work before the campaign gets underway on August 9 against Scunthorpe United.