Coach Shane Goddard considered the result 'a point gained' after Northampton Town Under 18s drew 2-2 at home to Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Youth Alliance Merit League Two on Saturday.
Ayo Lekuti and Conor Thomas scored the young Cobblers’ goals as they took the lead twice.
Speaking after the draw, Goddard said: “We played some good football and caused problems in the first 25 minutes, but we started to overcomplicate things when we got into the lead.
“It’s frustrating because the foundations were in place for the first 25 minutes, but they put us under pressure and we allowed them back into the game.
“We played some more good football and got back into the lead, but we went to sleep at the other end again.
“The biggest frustration for us is that the goals we conceded were avoidable.
“The boys will be disappointed and feel like it’s two points dropped, but they’ll have learned a lot and it’s a point gained in the grand scheme of things.
“We’re still in with a chance of being around the top end at the end of the season.
“Next week is a big week with the County Cup final in midweek and the long trip at the weekend.”
The youth team face Bugbrooke St Michaels in the Northamptonshire FA David Joyce Cup final at Sixfields on Thursday before travelling to Newport County in the Merit League on Saturday.