B Team boss Matt Craddock praised “good professional” Nelson Khumbeni after the midfielder was on target in the 3-1 defeat against FC United of Manchester.

The young Whites side impressed at times against the non-league outfit but were left ruing a costly 15-minute spell before the break.

Khumbeni featured for the first team in the Carabao Cup earlier this season and was also on the bench at Shrewsbury earlier this month.

“He has done very well,” said the manager. “What people probably overlook is there are a few lads like him who have been at a club for their entire lives and have moved out of the area, away from family and up to the north.

“They have adapted to it really well and he is a really good professional. I am pleased for him, but like I said it just reflects the hard work that is going on behind the scenes.

“He works hard every day, as do all the lads, so I was pleased that he could get a little reward.

“When you go in at half time and it is 3-0, I said to the lads back in July or August that game would have run away from us.

“But for us to have the courage to come out and still try to play our way, win the second half and get a goal back, it is testament to how far they have come.”

Sam Inwood was also involved after impressing for the Under-18s side over the past few months.

The young full-back set up Khumbeni’s goal with a pinpoint cross after some good work on the wing.

“I am really pleased for Sam and like I said, that is another example that reflects the hard work going on in the Academy,” Craddock added.

“Sam is a first-year scholar, he has done very well in training and very well in the Under-18s games.

“He can play forward on his first touch, which is really good for a full-back. He gets forward really well and gets into some dangerous areas and shows come good deliveries.

“I have been watching that in the Under-18s games and tonight was an opportunity because we have got Max (Conway) out on loan.

“You never know how the lads will do until you put them into the situation. An opportunity has come up and Sam has grabbed it with both hands.

“He had a fantastic game and we took him off with seconds to go to give him a little clap and recognition for how well he has done.”