SOUTHEND United’s under 18 side suffered their first defeat in five matches, losing 2-1 at EFL Youth Alliance Merit League One leaders Newport County.

The Shrimpers conceded twice inside the opening 12 minutes in Wales.

But coach Dave Huzzey was happy with how Blues fought back from their sloppy start.

“We have been made to pay for the slow start but there’s plenty for us to be taking out of this game,” said Huzzey.

“From the look of the table, Newport are going to go on and win the league and rightly so because they are a really good team.

“Quite often at youth level you’ll be up against some good individuals but Newport were a real unit who all worked really hard as a team.

“It made for a good game but, after the nightmare start we had, I actually thought we played well and I ended up being a bit disappointed not to have taken something from the game.”

Josh Williams and Joe Hunt scored for the hosts at the Newport International Sports Village but Blues were revitalised by Dru Yearwood’s strike shortly after the half-hour mark and put in a tremendous effort to get level.

However, good game-management in the second period then helped County to record their fifth win in six games.

Southend enjoyed long periods of possession throughout the opening period, but they fell behind shortly after the Newport goalkeeper claimed a Sewa Marah cross in the fifth minute.

The shot-stopper set away an attacker down the left flank and his centre was poked beneath Nathan Bishop by Williams.

Within seven minutes Blues were further behind. This time the ball was moved patiently through the thirds by the Exiles, who waited until the right time to release Hunt through the middle.

The visitors appealed for offside as Taylor Curran stepped up but the assistant referee refused to raise his flag and the forward slid his shot past Bishop.

Southend hit back in the 32nd minute with a curling effort from Yearwood but they were unable to conjure up a equaliser.

Southend: Bishop, Bwomono, Clifford, Cuthbert, Pianim, Curran, Kinali, Yearwood, Acquah, O’Stewart (Rush), Marah.