A freak goal led to the Town Under-21s falling to a 2-1 defeat to Oxford United in a behind-closed-doors friendly this week.

Alex Lawless’ side dominated the game for long spells but could not make their supremacy count.

Oxford took the lead against the run of play in the 10th minute when a cross fired into the Town penalty area was tucked home from close range despite a strong hint of offside.

Behind, the Town reacted well and midway through the first half they were level when Claude Kayibanda headed home Jack Lorentzen-Jones’ enticing free-kick.

The second half was only 10 minutes old when Oxford retook the lead when Hatters keeper Henry Blackledge was deceived by the bounce in the penalty area allowing the United striker to seize on the loose ball and fire home.

The Town continued to push forward in search of an equaliser with Taylan Harris and Aiden Francis-Clarke both going close.

But despite creating the majority of chances the Hatters could not find a way past the Oxford goalkeeper.

“This was a game the lads didn’t deserve to lose, and I’m usually one who doesn’t subscribe to that way of thinking – usually if you don’t win you haven’t deserved to,” said Lawless.

“I don’t know how we lost the game. We played really well throughout, created plenty of chances and in the end, we lost due to a freak goal.

“The boys’ response to going behind was excellent and overall it was a strong performance.

“It’s one of those games that they will learn from, because in football there will be games in which you don’t get what you deserve.”

The Under-21s are next in action at Kenilworth Road on Friday 4th October when they begin their Premier League Cup campaign against Burnley.

Town: Blackledge, Giwa, Phillips (sub Bala 67), Johnson, Paternoster, Francis-Clarke, Martins (sub Stitt 80), Kayibanda, Harris (sub Odegah 75), Trustram, Lorentzen-Jones.

Subs not used: Coyne, Odell-Bature.