First Team Development Manager Alan Neilson was pleased with the performance of his young side after Jordan Patrick's late goal salvaged the Town a 2-2 draw in Wednesday night's friendly with Dunstable Town.

Neilson fielded an XI made primarily up of second year scholars together with young professionals and a sprinkling of trialists.

"Overall we did okay considering it was our first game," Neilson said afterwards. "It wasn't easy but it was great that we came out of it unscathed by injuries.

"A couple of the players will be looking to progress to the first team this season under my guidance and it's heartening to see the likes of Adam Watkins and Godfrey Poku acquit themselves so well.

"Adam is always hard on himself because he wants to do so well and he's a Dunstable lad and there's no doubt he's the one to watch for the future.

"As for Godfrey, he is progressing really well and now he has the likes of Adam Murray and Keith Keane to look up to and learn from in training because they are quality players."

With a full first team squad on duty at Hitchin Town for a friendly on Thursday, Neilson explained the senior professionals' schedule and why they didn't feature at Creasey Park.

"We flew back from Portugal on Tuesday evening and decided to give them Wednesday off," he said.

"They are in for training on Thursday afternoon before we go to Hitchin.

"The trip to Portugal was fantastic from a fitness perspective. We biked to and from training every day and worked very hard for six really good days.

"We're trying to make sure we do everything properly in order that we hit the ground running when we start the season on 14th August."