A youthful Town outfit included the likes of Win a Pro Contract winner Kayden Jackson and recent signing Harry Agombar in their side, but were second-best at Cinder Lane.

Goals from Dan Drewitt, Alex Rudd and Henry Traas meant Joe English’s late effort was in vain.

Swindon development boss Jamie Pitman said: “The physicality for our boys is a big thing and that does come into it, but it was a good workout.
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“You find out a little bit out about the characters and certainly in terms of the physical aspect of it, where they need to get to in order to start playing men’s football.

“We ended up with a 14-year-old (Tommy Aldridge) on the pitch. We had three or four 15-year-olds on the pitch second half as well. It’s a great experience for them to see what it’s like playing men’s football.”

Fairford striker Nathan Gambling nearly put the hosts in front early on before Drewitt broke the deadlock after 12 minutes.

Todd Hathaway laid inside for the right-back to break clear and slot past keeper Josh Helm at the near post.

Hathaway had a golden chance to extend the lead when put through by Gambling moments later, but the striker somehow pulled across goal after rounding Helm.

Swindon had looked lively in patches but the closest they came in the first half was on 26 minutes, when Jackson's low shot was palmed round the post by the diving Ben Mitchell.

Before an hour was up, Fairford had trebled their lead. Substitute Rudd was first to register after the resumption with a neat finish into the corner of the net.

Then a corner from Steve Hall drifted all the way to the far post where the unmarked Traas applied the simple headed finish.

Swindon did get on the scoresheet courtesy of a jinking run and finish from English 15 minutes from the end, but Fairford held on for the win.

Fairford boss Paul Braithwaite said: “We knew they would work hard, move the ball round and put us under pressure.

“We learnt quite quickly that their style of play was to switch the ball at all opportunities and after 20 minutes in we dealt with that and looked quite comfortable defensively.

“It was just a matter of making sure we took our chances, which we did.

“I’d like to thank Swindon for their part in getting the game on.”