But coach Inigo Idiakez believes the young Town side – which featured three Under-16 players – showed much more than when they lost 4-2 to Southend the previous week, and that they are looking forward to Wednesday's FA Youth Cup first round tie against Stevenage at Kenilworth Road.

"There were definite signs of improvement on the previous week," said Idiakez. "It was a very young side and I was happy with them. They came with a good attitude and I think they did great. We are training well, and if you train well, you normally play well.

"We created a couple of really good chances, one v one against the keeper, so I'm not really disappointed with the boys.

"Maybe with the way we defended, because we gave away a penalty, which was quite sloppy defending from us, and then there was a corner where the keeper tried to come out and get the ball, but couldn't.

"So yes, in terms of defending it was a bit sloppy at times, but the way we played I was quite pleased about that. We created some really good chances, but unfortunately at the moment we are not scoring goals, so hopefully we can turn these things around."

The Spaniard will be hoping his side do exactly that under the Kenilworth Road lights on Wednesday evening when they entertain Stevenage in a 7pm kick-off, with a second round tie at Bromley or Chipstead awaiting the winners.

"We are looking forward to it and I think they are ready for that," said Idiakez. "We trained really, really well today. We worked a little bit on the shape, and the way we want to play, and hopefully we can have a really good day.

"They are going to be under proper pressure playing at the stadium, so hopefully they are ready for that. Everyone is going there to watch them play, and is looking forward to the game."

While goals have been hard to come by in the league this season, the Hatters have found their scoring boots in the League Cup, knocking eight past Barnet and two against Plymouth to progress to a third round tie with Swindon.

This time it's the FA Youth Cup – with admission £3 adults and £1 for concessions – and Idiakez added: "Hopefully we can do the same, but I am quite positive going into Wednesday and doing our job.

"As I have said before, they train much better now, they know what we have to do, so hopefully we can stick with the plan and score some goals. We've not had much luck in doing that in recent games, so hopefully it will turn."

TOWN v PETERBOROUGH: Ellis, A Jones, Mead, Panter, Byron, Beckwith, Sweeney (Neufville), Richardson, Sorunke, Shamalo, Tomlinson