Jones not worried by Hatters' defeat to Boreham Wood

Town conceded on 20 minutes to Kudus Oyenuga’s strike as they couldn’t find a way back into the game, despite fielding a strong team for the best part of an hour.

Jones, who had seen his side put nine past Bedford Town at the weekend, said: “It was a real good test, a good fitness test, we came through it without any injuries which is probably the main thing and they’ve had a good workout.

“We knew it would be a tough test but it’s more about the workout and not the result at the minute.

“Second half we were a lot better. First half we didn’t really play as well as we should have, so it’s all a learning curve.”

Hatters faced searing temperatures during the first half, with two scheduled drinks breaks ordered by the officials, but Jones didn’t want to use that as any reason for the lack of intensity.

He continued: “It was the same for both teams, I just think the stuff that we worked on we didn’t really do and I don’t think heat was a factor in that.

“In the second half it was quite cool, a nice evening, so no excuses there.

“In pre-season you have to play in those conditions, come the first game of the season at Plymouth I don’t envisage it being any different as it’s usually the hottest day of the year.

“We’re still three weeks into pre-season, we’ve had a few good games, we’re disappointing to lose, but glad to have come through it unscathed.”

During the second period, Jones rang the changes once more, ending up with seven players who were part of the club’s FA Youth Cup side from last term.

The Town boss is confident they’ve earned their place in his squad now, adding: “They’ve done fantastically well with injuries to a few first team players, Jack Marriott was ill and Scott Cuthbert not quite being ready, so we’ve used them and a few of them have put themselves into the reckoning.

“They’re not here as passengers, they’re here as real good squad players and they’ve done really, really well, I’m really pleased with them.”