​Bristol City Reserves 1 Cheltenham Town Reserves 1

A WONDERFUL piece of improvisation from Robin Shroot almost earned Cheltenham Town Reserves a win over a strong Bristol City second string at the Championship club's impressive training complex this afternoon.

Cheltenham were awarded a free-kick for a foul on JJ Melligan near the edge of the penalty area in the 62nd minute.

With City still organising their defensive wall, Birmingham City youngster Shroot, who played at the point of a midfield diamond, shaped to shoot with his right foot, but delicately curled a shot into the bottom corner with his left, completely deceiving goalkeeper Stephen Henderson.

Up until that point, Cheltenham had performed well against a City side including long-serving central defender Louis Carey, who is on his way back from injury, and big striker John Akinde.

Central defenders Andy Gallinagh and youth team player James Fawke coped with City's powerful front line well and there were plenty of bright performances for boss Mark Yates to take in as he prepares the first team for their trip to Rotherham United on Saturday.

Watkins almost opened the scoring in the 18th minute when he saw a firm drive cleared off the line by Carey when a corner was half-cleared.

Watkins then missed a chance to score two minutes later after being set up by holding midfielder Josh Emery, but he shot wide.

Akinde saw a headed goal disallowed for offside and Dan Lloyd-Weston made a good save at his near post to deny Slovakian Peter Styvar.

Mirroring the first team's style of play, Cheltenham passed it around well on a superb playing surface at Failand.

First year scholar Matty Williams played at right-back and gave a performance full of promise and Jake Lee's development continued with a hard-working display up front.

After Shroot's goal, Lloyd-Weston made a fine block when Akinde burst through one-on-one, but Marlon Jackson equalised in the 77th minute with a well-placed shot.

Cheltenham's head of youth John Brough, who took charge of the reserve friendly along with assistant manager Neil Howarth, was pleased with his young side's performance.

"They did very well and we told them to get out and pass the football," Brough said.

"We want to play how the first team do and we had a bit of a shaky start, with a couple of 16-year-olds out there, but we got to grips with the game and passed it very well.

"We showed a lot of confidence and it was a pleasure to watch. We got tired towards the end, which is understandable with a lot of young boys, but we are really pleased as a staff."

Cheltenham Town Reserves: D Lloyd-Weston; M Williams (J Sauntson 74), J Fawke, A Gallinagh, K Haynes; J Melligan, J Emery, R Shroot (J Turley 87), M Watkins; S Jeffers (D Waters 74), J Lee.

* Cheltenham's next reserve friendly will be at home to Bristol Rovers at Seasons next Tuesday.