Young Norwich City winger Jacob Murphy enjoyed a successful first match of his loan spell at Swindon Town, helping the League One play-off hopefuls grab victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Robins were 2-0 down at Port Vale on Saturday and had begun their comeback with a goal from striker Nile Ranger in the 51st minute, before Murphy was brought on in the 63rd minute, replacing former Lincoln City winger Danny N'Guessan.

A free-kick from Alex Pritchard levelled the scores at Vale Park two minutes later and then Swindon took the lead through Nathan Byrne in the 69th minute.

Although 18-year-old Murphy wasn't directly involved in the goals, his appearance drew praise from Swindon manager Mark Cooper.

'Young Jacob Murphy came in and showed glimpses of real pace and attacking threat,' Cooper told the Swindon Advertiser.

'We've got a few options now and it bodes well for the rest of the season. He's rapidly quick and he'll give us a threat carrying the ball up the pitch.'

Murphy, twin brother of Josh, made his first senior appearance for the Canaries in the 1-1 FA Cup third round draw with Fulham at Carrow Road in early January.

The Downham Market twins, were both part of the City Under-18s side which won the FA Youth Cup last season and are both on professional deals with the club.

Jacob, an England Under-19 international, is hoping to prove to City boss Chris Hughton that he is also capable of performing for the Norwich first team.

Josh has gone on to make eight Premier League appearances from the substitutes bench for City – since scoring a spectacular long-range effort on his debut, coming off the bench to help the Canaries come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in extra-time at Watford in the third round of the Capital One Cup.

Josh also started both legs of City's defeat to Fulham in the third round of the FA Cup and Jacob is hoping to match his brother's progress.

'The football they (Swindon) play is brilliant and the more games I play the more chance I'll get to show what I'm about,' Jacob told the Swindon Advertiser.

'I like to get in behind, create play in and around the box. I'm not going to come here just to sit on the bench. I'm going to push for a start and it's down to me to try to get that.

'I've been kept out of the team by some really good players at Norwich and this is the best way for me to get back into the Norwich team and it's good for me to get the experience.'

Jacob admits it is difficult being split up from his identical twin, at least until March 8, when his short term deal is due to expire.

'There are a lot of things on Twitter about me and Josh being split up but there are always going to be times when we're apart and be man enough to deal with that,' Murphy added.

'I think it will be good for us in the long run.

'The thing about twin telepathy gets used a lot when we play together but Josh is happy for me to be here and I'm happy for Josh at Norwich.

'We've got to keep pushing each other.'

Related links

Norwich City twins Josh and Jacob Murphy sign new long-term deals at the club

Josh and Jacob Murphy join the club: the brothers who have played for Norwich City

Mum is the word for Norwich City starlets Josh and Jacob Murphy