Swansea City Under-18s suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Queens Park Rangers in the Professional Development League on Saturday afternoon.
Rico Kennedy scored the only goal of the game with a fine strike just before the final quarter at the Joma High Performance Centre.
Swansea were left to rue plenty of missed chances in both halves as Callum Jones, Aidan Higgins and Morgan Bates all came agonisingly close.
They had made the better start, asserting control of the early stages with Jones posing a particular threat down the left flank.
A fine team move, started by Wahab Ojetoro, then saw Jones break free down the wing, the latter's delivery into the area was eventually worked to Higgins, who sliced an effort straight into the hands of keeper Callum Loades.
A quick attack from the visitors had the Swans scrambling to cover as Leon Scarlett was found in a dangerous position, but Ojetoro was on hand to clear the ball away.
Straight down the other end, Bates dragged a shot just wide before Callum Deacon's half-shot, half-cross was gathered by Loades.
Another mazy run from Jones saw him weave through a crowd of QPR defenders and pick out Higgins, but his final chipped effort cleared the bar.
Jones soon threatened again, cutting into area only for his final touch to be gathered by the QPR stopper.
Before the break, there was more goalmouth action as the Swans chased for a breakthrough. Bates' effort rattled the crossbar before Jones' strike from a tight angle was palmed away by Loades.
The visitors countered through Jake Coomes, but the Rangers’ forward curled his effort well wide under pressure from Harlan Perry.
Swansea started the second period like the first, calmly in control of possession. Substitute Ben Phillips created the first opening as his strike sailed over the crossbar, before Perry saw back-to-back efforts go wide of the target.
Chances kept coming for the Swans, who must have been wondering how they had not got their noses in front. Bates' deflected strike bounced beyond the near post after Higgins' chipped shot had forced a crucial save from Loades, following Caio Ifan’ delivery.
Under-16s’ striker Harvey Gray was introduced after the hour mark, and he instantly tested the QPR goal from outside the area. Loades palmed that effort away, and Milo Robinson looked to capitalise on the rebound, but it was once again saved by the R's 'keeper.
And the hosts were made to pay for those missed chances when QPR found the breakthrough with 15 minutes remaining as Kennedy cut inside to send a soaring strike in to the top corner.
Searching for the equaliser, both Gray and Higgins missed the target in the closing stages, before Kiel Higginson unleashed a powerful strike over the crossbar as the home side drew a frustrating blank.
Swansea City Under-18s: Sam Seager, Osian Williams, Callum Deacon, Harlan Perry (captain, Alfie Jones 69), Kiel Higginson, Wahab Ojetoro (Ben Phillips 45), Aidan Higgins, Milo Robinson (Carter Heywood 82), Morgan Bates (Harvey Gray 64), Bobo Evans, Callum Jones (Caio Ifans 45).
Substitutes: Caio Ifans, Harvey Gray, Alfie Jones.