SOUTHEND United's immediate return to League One may finally have been confirmed on Saturday, but there was a glimmer of light for the Shrimpers.
Seventeen-year-old midfielder Franck Moussa looked solid in the centre of the park in what was his first senior start.
And he was joined on the pitch for the final nine minutes against Luton Town by another product of the club's improving youth system, 18-year-old Charles Ademeno.
He replaced Richie Foran in attack during the 3-1 defeat against the Hatters, making watching youth team manager Ricky Duncan a very proud man.
"It's been great for us to finish second in our league this season but to see Franck and Charles playing for the first team means even more because it's what we all work to achieve," said Duncan.
The duo have already impressed in the club's youth and reserve sides so far this season and were recently rewarded with professional contracts to stay with the Shrimpers.
That move delighted Duncan and he was pleased with the way the duo performed in difficult circumstances at the weekend.
"They came into a side which was lacking a bit of confidence in a relegation decider," he said.
"But I thought Franck did well and his passing was good."
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