Liverpool centre-back Lloyd Jones scored his first goal for loan club Swindon Town on Tuesday night, but his early header couldn’t prevent his team falling to a 2-1 loss.
Jones returned to the Robins’ starting lineup as they hosted Bristol Rovers, having missed his team’s 2-1 defeat to high-flying Bury on Saturday through suspension.
Being sent off in the prior League One clash, the local derby with Oxford United, continued a mixed start to life at the County Ground for the young defender, who has primarily featured on the left side of a back three for Luke Williams’ side.
But finding his feet in Wiltshire and improving his individual performance level, Jones has impressed in his two outings since that red card and netted his first goal for the club in the second of those games in a narrow defeat.
Up from the back for an early corner as the home side applied pressure, Jones timed his run into the box well to meet Sean Murray’s corner and steer a glancing header into the far corner, which may have been helped on its way by a slight deflection off his marker.
Giving Swindon a sixth-minute lead, it appeared the 20-year-old’s effort would ultimately prove the difference between the sides and earn his team a much-needed first win in three league games.
ACTION SHOTS ? | @lloydjones51 celebrates his first Town goal and our opener tonight! #STFC #COYR ?????? pic.twitter.com/c02ccrxIrc
— Swindon Town Football Club (@Official_STFC) September 20, 2016
But a late collapse from the Robins, who conceded two goals in the final 10 minutes, meant the loanee’s effort counted for nothing as Jones’ men slipped to a disappointing defeat from a controlling position.
The frustrating collapse, which has left Swindon one place above the relegation zone following an uninspiring start, ensured of a night of mixed emotion for Jones.
However, promise can be drawn from the fact his maiden strike came as part of another improved and assured 90-minute performance for the League One side.
Jones will look to ensure of a better result when Swindon travel to Oldham Athletic on Saturday.
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