MARK Cooper took great pride the performances of the youngsters he entrusted to uphold Swindon Town’s standards in the 3-0 defeat at Preston North End.

Will Randall and Lee Marshall both got their first starts for the club at Deepdale and by the final whistle fellow academy prospects Tom Smith and Josh Cooke had joined them on the pitch.

Randall made a big impression in the draw with Walsall last Tuesday night when he came off the bench although he could not repeat that performance against North End, whose experienced backline kept him quiet.

Marshall looked composed in the middle of midfield and despite his tender years looked at home on the Deepdale pitch.

Smith stuck to his task well when coming on for Anton Rodgers at the base of midfield and Cooke did not get much opportunity to show what he could do in the five minutes he was given.

Afterwards Cooper was impressed with the performances of his youngsters and saw plenty of promise for the future.

“They are young boys that have come through our system and we think a lot of them,” said the Town boss.

“We’re going to be using these boys in and around the first team, because that’s the way it is. I thought they did really well.

“They’re young players we believe in and they’re going to be good players for years to come.

“It’s difficult to say how many of those young players will be in the reckoning at the start of next season.

“We have to be careful and gentle with them, we have to put them in and pull them out, but not all together.”

Cooper faced criticism for fielding a weakened side at Preston, with fans making a round trip of nearly 400 miles to watch the game.

However the Town boss thought the travelling supporters should take pride that their club was able to field so many youngsters and by no means disgrace themselves.

“If I was a fan I would feel proud that my team has got that many young players in it and held their own,” Cooper added.

“We’ve had a team today that included some young me who are desperate to be professionals and I’m proud to be manager of those young players today.

“I thought they acquitted themselves fantastically well in a cauldron of an atmosphere.

“As a fan I would be made up that my club has got these young players and they’re actually playing at Preston North End in front of nearly 20,000 and they held their own.”