WELLINGTON'S youngsters were desperately unlucky to go down to a 2-1 defeat away to bottom club Shrewton United in the Toolstation league on Saturday.

With a string of players unable to make the trip to Wiltshire, they only had the bare 11 with an average age of just under 19 - ranging from 16-year-old winger Jack Bryant to the “old man” of the team, skipper Joe Holmes who has just turned 23.

The line-up included the three Bryant brothers - Sam, Conor and Jack - as well as 17-year-old central defender Aaron Hawkings, who was making his first-team debut.

And when they fell behind after only five minutes, the writing looked on the wall for such an inexperienced line-up.

Shrewton, who are fighting for their Toolstation lives, got the best possible start as a long kick from keeper Chris Brewer was headed on for striker Mike Brownless to run on and lob Brewer's opposite number Jake Viney.

But the talented Wellington youngsters refused to let the setback affect them and drew level ten minutes later when Max Westlake pulled the ball back and midfielder Nicky Ford gave Brewer no chance with the sweetest of shots from just outside the box.

From that point onwards, chances were few and far between with the bumpy Shrewton pitch not helping matters.

Wellington more than matched their senior opponents and almost went ahead after 82 minutes when a downward header from defender Tom Ellis was headed off the line by a defender.

Despite his tender years, Ellis had marshalled the makeshift defence superbly but their hard work was to no avail as Shrewton snatched the winner with five minutes remaining.

Striker Dean Foot, a prolific scorer for many years, got in a cross from the right and Brownless nipped ahead of his marker to head past the helpless Viney.

Wellington: Jake Viney, Conor Bryant, Tom Ellis, Aaron Hawkings, Joe Chamberlain, Max Westlake, Joe Holmes, Nicky Ford, Jack Bryant, Luke Redrup, Sam Bryant. Attendance: 21.