Under-21s striker Luke Parkin says sealing progression was the most important thing after scoring both goals in United’s 2-1 Premier League Cup win over Leicester.

Jason Blunt’s side had gone behind through Harry Panayiotou’s 59th-minute opener from close-range, but Parkin hit a double – including the winner two minutes from time – to send his side through.  

"I thought Casper had miss-kicked it but it just came to me and I managed to get it in. I’m happy with my goals," said Parkin.

"The most important thing is we got the win and are through to the next round so that’s the main thing really."

At Nuneaton Town’s James Parnell Stadium, United came up against wet and blustery conditions but showed great character to come from behind and seal the win as head coach Neil Redfearn watched from the stands.

"It was horrible," said Parkin. "In the first half it was windy and rainy and not the best to play our football in but we came out on top in the end.

"It was a good test for us, we never gave up. It’s a good group of lads. When we were 1-0 down, we knew we could get one.

"It’s always good to impress Redders, everyone’s trying to get into that first team.

"I know there’s quite a few players but players have been training with the first team. All you can do is keep doing the best you can do and hopefully get a chance."

Parkin started alongside summer loan arrival Brian Montenegro in attack, a partnership which the 19-year-old striker says he is relishing.

"I really enjoy it," he said. "I like Brian, he’s a great lad. We get on off the field as well. We link up well.

"There’s a lot of strikers so you’ve got to be on top of your game. There was Eoghan Stokes and Frankie Mulhern on the bench who could have played tonight.

"You’ve just got to keep working hard and scoring goals and doing well to stay in the team."

The Under-21s now face a trip to Watford in the last 16 and Parkin is hoping for a repeat of his 2012 visit to Vicarage Road, when he netted twice in a 4-0 FA Youth Cup win over the Hornets.

"I played there in the Youth Cup when I was with the Under-18s, he said. I’ve got good memories there and hopefully we can do it again."