SOUTHEND United’s academy manager Ricky Duncan was proud of his side after they came within seconds of knocking Middlesbrough out of the FA Youth Cup at Roots Hall on Friday night.

Blues trailed 2-0 to the Teessiders early on, but a fortuitous effort from Jordan Williams and an opportunistic finish by Freddie Gard meant the teams went in all-square at the break.

It looked as though Southend had sealed a famous victory when Nico Cotton slammed home a stunning strike in the final minute, but two goals deep into stoppage time saw the Shrimpers suffer a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat.

But Duncan was still keen to focus on the positives.

"It was one of those classic FA Youth Cup games and in the second half I thought we dominated, if I'm honest,” said Duncan.

“We had all the play in their half and I thought they'd gone.

“We were well on top and I thought we deserved to go 3-2 up.

“In the end I’m left feeling sorry for the boys after what happened at the end but I’m also very proud of them too.”

Victory would have set up a fourth round tie against Newcastle United for the Shrimpers.

But the youngsters were unable to hang on to the lead as Middlesbrough scored twice in the dying minutes.

And Duncan felt Blues paid the price for thinking the game was over.

"The lads thought we'd won it, and we tried to tell them to get their heads back on it, but it's hard,” said Duncan.

“They took their eyes off the ball but I think Middlesbrough were very lucky to get away with a win.

"I'm pleased about the cup run; it's been a good cup run. It's a shame if ended the way it did, but hopefully they will learn from this and the experience will help them in the future."

Middlesbrough went in to the game on the back of six successive wins and currently top the north group of the under 18 Premier League table.

But Duncan is backing the Shrimpers to bounce back from the disappointment and work their way in to the club’s first team squad.

"We've got a lot of boys in there that have got a real future,” said Duncan.

“They won't believe that right now and they'll be disappointed for weeks because it's not a nice way to lose.

“But we've got to look at ourselves.

“It was our own fault because we should've defended better and the lads need to learn from what’s happened.”

Southend United: Bexon; Williams, Matsuzaka, Coutts, Adeyeye; Scott, Keating (Bedford 6), Gard, Johnson, Cotton; Burton, (Wabo 90)

Subs not used: Phillips. Macree & Salami