SAINTS under-21s continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 home defeat to League Two Swindon Town.

Irish attacking midfielder Romeo Akachukwu - still officially down as a trialist - opened the scoring for Simon Rusk's side in the first half.

Former England youth coach Rusk will have been pleased with what he saw from the team, taking charge of his second game.

Saints operated in a three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs high and wide, and two attacking midfielders behind a sole striker. 

However, Paul Glatzel and Aaron Drinan scored at each end of the second period to give the senior Robins side a win in their fourth match of pre-season.

Rusk made a series of changes to his team with minutes in the legs the first focus on a hot summer's day at Staplewood.

The match was the first outing for the new PUMA home kit, with Saints returning to their traditional red and white stripes for the 2024/25 season.