Co-manager Danny Walker is optimistic that Bradford Boys under-15s can beat Swindon in the English Schools Heinz Ketchup Trophy final despite being held 1-1 in the first leg at Valley Parade last night.

Walker, who runs the team with Bob Wood, is banking on his players producing an improved performance at the County Ground.

He is also hoping the team's fine away record will serve them well next Wednesday.

"It would be nice to have taken a lead into the second leg, but we didn't play at our best," he said. "I thought the 1-1 draw was a fair result, but there is better to come from our team." The Boys made the best possible start when they went in front after just four minutes in last night's final against Swindon at Valley Parade.

A good move between captain Anthony Doherty and Jarad Peltier ended with goalkeeper Daniel Leith saving Doherty's shot, but Peltier followed up to score from the rebound.

It was a proud moment for the St Bede's Grammar School student because he was wearing the boots given to him by his cousin, former Oldham and Newcastle full back Carl Serrant who has been forced to retire at 25.

The two players combined five minutes before half time, but this time Doherty fired over the bar.

However, there was a blow for Bradford on the stroke of half time when Swindon equalised through an own goal following a mix-up between Matthew Axon and Scott Marsden. Justin McKay headed towards goal when Bradford failed to clear a corner, but when Axon tried to clear the ball hit Marsden and went into the net.

Bradford had the better chances early in the second half as the game opened up and Danny Davis, pictured, looked a likely scorer when he latched on to a through pass but the ball bobbled as he was about to shoot and fired over the crossbar. Jake Wright beat two players inside the box, but then he also shot over the bar and later he saw two close range shots blocked.

Swindon, dangerous on the break, also had chances as substitute David Stroud fired across the face of the goal and James Hambridge hit the post.

Clive Harding, teacher in charge of the Swindon team, said: "It was a very good performance. We achieved what we wanted to do and that was not to lose the first leg.

"We had a dodgy start when we conceded a goal, but we defended well after that and I thought a draw was a fair result."

Co-manager Danny Walker admitted: "We didn't get our passing game although we showed a lot of character when we were up against it.

"There were times when we had to defend and we kept throwing our bodies in the way. That is what we have got to when things are not going for us. Conditions were made for our passing game, but we didn't produce it. We and Swindon are both good sides, but if we relax and play our football in the second leg I feel confident we can win."

Bradford: Mann, Harris, Richardson, Marsden (King 59min), Ellis, Kearns, Axon, Davis (Carberry 56min) Doherty, Peltier, Wright. Subs (not used): O'Hara, Rosindale, Bluckert.

Swindon: Leith, Lapman, Johal, McKay, Hazzard, Ward (Stroud 45min), Collins, Pook, Hambridge, Taylor, Barry. Subs (not used): Slatery, Gumm, Gill.

Referee: Iain Tom (Durham County FA).