Ricky Duncan was in a mixed mood after seeing his side suffer a heartbreaking exit from the FA Youth Cup.

His side held Brentford to a 3-3 draw at Roots Hall on Wednesday night, only to lose the tie 9-8 on penalties.

But while Duncan remained disappointed at the defeat, he was proud with the way he youngsters responded to force the tie into extra time.

"It's hard to take but we didn't play at all well for the first 55 minutes," said the Blues boss.

"We were 2-0 down and deservedly so. We came back to lead 3-2 but we just couldn't hang on and it turned out to be one of those nights.

"In the end it was a game which had pretty much everything. Six goals, a missed penalty, a red card and a penalty shoot-out so it was certainly eventful and it hurts to have lost in that manner."

The Blues were clearly gutted by their exit but their sombre reaction also pleased Duncan who felt it proved their commitment to the club.

"They were gutted," he revealed.

"It's been a while since I've walked into a changing room which has been that down but that shows their feelings for the club.

"We would've liked to have gone on and had another good cup run but that can't happen now.

"We still have plenty to be happy about though and now we have to try and pick the lads up again."

That starts at home to Gillingham this weekend as the table topping Blues look to extend their unbeaten start to the league campaign.

"We're doing well in that and the Youth Alliance Cup so lets go and have a real go at that now," declared Duncan.

"We have some great players coming through and that was shown again against Brentford even though we lost.

"Stuart O'Keefe scored two excellent goals and Justin Hazell was superb again too and fully deserved his goal."

Duncan confirmed that those two will now travel with the first team for this weekend's FA Cup clash with AFC Telford.

And that leaves the youth team chief delighted.

"The whole aim is to put players through for Steve Tilson and we're doing that," he said.

"It's a great story with Justin. He's been excellent this year and has been with us since he was eight-years-old.

"Steve signed him which is a good story but since then a lot of coaches have put plenty of work into developing him as a player.

"Everyone has played a part and I'm sure he and others we have will go on to do well for this football club."

* Southend United's Under-18 players will be in Southend High Street from 1pm today, where they will be collecting money for the Poppy Appeal.