A young Wolves side enjoyed a valuable workout in a Development friendly at Cheltenham this afternoon despite finishing on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline.

A lively and hard-fought contest provided good experience for the developing team against a Cheltenham reserve side which included seven senior professionals.

Wolves started brightly with Jack Price sending over a dangerous cross which on-loan striker Bence Szabo couldn't quite connect with at the far post.

Theo Lewis then went close for Cheltenham at the other end before Szabo wasn't far away after a strong run and pass from Ashley Hemmings.

David Hutton had a good chance for the hosts on 18 minutes before a great double save from keeper Barry Richardson prevented Wolves from going in front.

The Cheltenham goalkeeping coach first parried a shot from James Spray and then tipped the follow-up from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing over the crossbar.

Cheltenham went in front of 26 minutes as their on-loan Huddersfield striker Tom Denton netted from close range.

Mendez-Laing had a header saved by Richardson shortly afterwards before an excellent challenge from Ethan Ebanks Landell prevented Hutton from a decent chance to make it two.

Spray was then inches away from making contact with a Hemmings cross before Cheltenham extended their lead just before the break, Josh Quaynor firing a low free kick around the defensive wall from just outside the area.

Wolves started the second half strongly and narrowed the advantage within five minutes of the restart.

Mendez-Laing sent in a cross from the right and Nathan Rooney came in at the far post to convert with a low shot.

Keeper Daniel East did well to block a low shot from Denton before Mendez Laing hit the base of the post at the other end with a shot from the edge of the area.

But 12 minutes from time Cheltenham notched the goal which secured their victory as Denton headed in a Cathal Tosh cross.

"It was a really good workout for our young players," said Wolves Development Coach Steve Weaver.

"It told us an lot about them as the game threw up one or two scenarios which they wouldn't really be faced with in their fixtures on a Saturday and gave us plenty to work on back at the training ground.

"We created plenty of chances albeit only managing to take one of them but battled hard and did well against a team containing seven professionals.

"We played a number of games like this last year and it was another really good exercise - we were on the first team pitch and were looked after really well."