AFC Bournemouth’s under-21s were defeated 2-1 away to Bristol Rovers in a friendly this afternoon.

Taking place at Melksham Town, Keelan O’Connell put the visitors ahead just before the break with a neat finish, the ball being worked into the box from the left, before the winger set himself and curled it into the top right-hand corner.

However, the Gas came out firing in the second half, with Zain Walker tapping in Josh Hare’s cross just after the hour mark and Hare himself converting a penalty five minutes from time to give the hosts victory.

Following the game, under-21s manager Shaun Cooper shared his thoughts with afcb.co.uk.

“Despite the result, there were so many positives to take from the performance,” he began.

“I thought, on a tricky surface, we tried to play and there were some good individual performances. The pitch was a leveller and they were quite direct, but it was a good challenge for our boys to handle.

“We had enough opportunities in and around their box to turn into chances and nick a goal here or there. On another day, we probably score two or three, but it didn’t happen up that end for us really.

“The lads are disappointed to lose, but there are certainly positives to take.

“We have another friendly against them at the end of the month, this time at home. The lads can’t wait to play them again and put that result right.”

The former Cherries midfielder went on to express his delight for O’Connell, who got the team’s only goal of the afternoon.

After a lengthy lay-off with injury, he’s now featured in the last two fixtures for Cooper’s side, scoring his first goal back this afternoon.

“I was really pleased for him,” he continued.

“He had to come off after 60 minutes because we’re still dipping him in after his injury, but he did well.

“I was really pleased for him to get the goal. I’ve seen him practice that finish a lot and to see it come off in a game was brilliant.”

The under-21s are back in action next week, as they take on Peterborough in a friendly away from home.