SOUTHEND United’s youth team chief Ricky Duncan was left ruing his side’s sloppy start after suffering a 3-2 defeat at Barnet on Saturday.

Blues conceded twice inside the opening 12 minutes.

And Duncan felt a lack of match sharpness was to blame.

“It was a really disappointing start and I think we paid the price for not having played since before Christmas,” said Duncan.

“Barnet had played on the Tuesday before our game and they came out the traps much quicker than us.

“We gave away two really sloppy goals and that’s something we haven’t really done this season so it was frustrating to see.

“We played some really good stuff after that to get back into the game but Barnet then got a really well worked goal to win it.

“However, we can’t have any complaints because if you start a game like that then you get what you deserve.”

Barnet went ahead with a low shot after just seven minutes and soon doubled their lead with a close range volley.

But Blues soon hit back and, with 18 minutes on the clock, captain Harry Phillips picked out Norman Wabo who fired home his 16th goal of the season.

Barnet replied by hitting the woodwork but, after surviving the scare, Southend equalised in the 35th minute when Phillips’ corner was played to Joe Bedford whose cross was converted by Joe Mackenzie.

Moments later, Wabo was superbly denied by the keeper but Barnet regained the lead six minutes in to the second half with a well taken strike.

Southend pushed hard in search of an equaliser and the closest they came was when Renei Batlokwa sent a shot, from another Phillips set-piece, against the crossbar.

Blues will now be bidding to bounce back when they host MK Dons this afternoon.

Southend United U18s: Bexon, Bwomono, Clifford, Musselwhite (Batlokwa 52), Mackenzie, Ripsher, Walker, Bedford, Wabo (Matthews 56), Phillips, Dias (Gard 84) Subs not used: Bishop & Hirst.