Report | Swansea City U21s 2 Peterborough United U21s 3

Swansea City Under-21s were edged out 3-2 by Peterborough United in the Professional Development League on Tuesday afternoon.

Benjamin McWilliams gave the visitors the lead in the first half before Thomas Woodward levelled from the penalty spot to ensure the sides went into the interval all square.

Patryk Sykut struck twice after the break to put Peterborough back in front, with Joe Davies pulling one back late on, but the Swans were unable to find a deserved equaliser.

Anthony Wright made four changes to the side that was defeated by Sheffield United last week, with Joe Collins, Carter Heywood, Kai Rhodes and Ben Lloyd coming into the starting XI.

The visitors made a bright start and almost opened the scoring when McWilliams dispossessed Seb Dabrowski high up the pitch before driving towards goal and forcing Collins into a strong diving save.

Peterborough did take the lead on 20 minutes. Ejiro Abbey made a darting run in behind the Swansea defence before showing composure to beat the onrushing Collins and slot home.

Swansea looked to respond immediately and came close when Dabrowski delivered an inviting cross towards the far post, where Griffith was unable to make the necessary connection.

The Swans continued to move the ball with purpose, and neat interplay between Joe Davies and Billy Clarke created another opening. Clarke's dangerous delivery into the box was punched clear by Peterborough goalkeeper Bastian Smith just before Woodward could connect after making a well-timed run.

Swansea's pressure was rewarded on 31 minutes when Griffith made a clever run into the box and was brought down by Smith, leaving the referee with no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Woodward took responsibility and confidently converted, sending his penalty high into the net to restore parity.

The Swans almost completed the turnaround before half-time. A promising move involving Lloyd created space for Davies, who got across his marker but dragged his effort narrowly wide.

Peterborough regained the lead shortly after the restart when Sykut's effort found a way through to beat Collins. The visitors then had an opportunity to extend their advantage when Abbey's low cross found McWilliams at the far post, but he could not keep his effort on target.

Peterborough did find a third soon afterwards. Joe Andrews' free-kick from distance was parried by Collins, but the rebound fell perfectly for Sykut, who made no mistake from close range to claim his second of the afternoon.

Wright made a quadruple change midway through the second period, which included the long-awaited return of Ramon Rees-Siso, who made his first appearance in eight months.

Statham Bowen came close to pulling one back shortly after the changes when he struck the post, while the Swans continued to threaten as the game entered its final stages.

Their persistence finally paid off with just under 15 minutes remaining. Rhodes lifted a cross towards the back post, where Davies rose highest to direct a downward header beyond Smith and give the Swans hope of salvaging a point.

Swansea pushed forward in search of an equaliser and continued to ask questions of the Peterborough defence, but the visitors stood firm during the closing stages to secure all three points.

Swansea City Under-21s: Collins, Clarke, Fanning, Cotterill (Asemokhai 63'), Dabrowski (Kallicharan 63'), Heywood (Bowen 46'), Rhodes, Woodward (Robinson 63'), Davies, Lloyd (Rees-Siso 63'), Griffith (C).

Substitute not used: Wright.