Southend United suffered another penalty shoot-out heartache today - this time against Dutch side FC Twente in the third and fourth place play-off of the SUFC Youth Cup.

After leading 2-0 after only two minutes, Blues allowed Twente to battle back levelling at 2-2.

And with the scores tied at the end of normal time Blues lost the shoot-out in sudden death, 11-12 to the visitors.

The young Blues got off to the perfect start against FC Twente when Duane Ofori-Acheampong latched on to a weak pass back and struck a low hard shot past Plattel to open the scoring for Southend in the first minute.

Two minutes later it was two nil.Southend youth team captain James Stevens struck a sweet 20 yard free kick round the Dutch wall and into the bottom corner.

Southend United continued to pressurise the stunned visitors, showing lots of invention and desire to put the game beyond Twente.

Engerink was cautioned on 20 minutes for a late and rash challenge on Ofori-Acheampong as both teams started to show more physicality.Blues captain Stevens was really catching the eye of 700 or so fans as he ran the midfield and was providing all the ammunition for the Blues lively forwards.

Some slack defending from Southend United on the stroke of half time allowed Twente back into the match.Orsula found himself with space to meet an inviting cross from Bellerman and head past Chambers in the Southend goal.

Mannes levelled the tie for Twente when he scored a well struck free kick from the edge of the box giving substitute keeper Bentley no chance after four minutes of the second half.

Drawing level gave Twente all the encouragement they needed and they were much sharper than the young Blues in the early exchanges of the second half.

With the tournament rules not limiting the number of substitutions, both managers made changes to ensure all players in their respective squads were given game time.The introduction of so many fresh players spoiled the flow of the game.Both sides struggled to control the game and a period of scrappy play ensued.

Okai was lively for the Blues with a lovely pass to Woodyard creating the only real chance for the Blues in the second half but the Twente defenders did well and cleared the danger.

Twente tried for a winner but the Blues held firm and the match finished 2 -2.

The draw meant penalties to decide the third and fourth place placings and it was shoot out heart ache for Ricky Duncan's youngsters once again when they lost a marathon penalty shoot out 12 -11.

Southend United: Luke Chambers (Daniel Bentley 41), Ryan Auger (Anthony Furlonge 53), Teddy Nesbitt, James Stevens (Michael Hyland 70), Louis Baucutt (Michael Hassini 47), Kane Ferdinand, Rhys Mackay (Hicham Abdellah 61), Jack Paxman (Dubi Ogbonna 47), Alex Woodyard, Duane Ofon-Acheampong (Seedy Njie 53), Julian Okai (Fope Coker 61).

FC Twente: Timo Plattel, Semol Souhuwat (Kris Fillinger 53), Joey Pelupessy, Juran Mannes, Mark Engberink (Guillian Preudhomme 64), Chris Davids, Sonny Witteveen (Mirko Born 41), Joey Belterman, Cas Peters (Jens Marius Kolseth 53), Deniz Turec (Rich Hemmink 53), Filip Orsula (Stephen Baltus 68).

Substitute not used: Wouter Dronkers.