SOUTHEND United reached the quarter-finals of the Youth Alliance Cup with a 3-1 win at Bournemouth.

The Shrimpers are through to the last eight of the competition for the first time since the 2010/11 season.

And Blues’ youth coach Danny Heath was thrilled to see the team fight back from conceding an early goal to triumph.

“It was very good,” said Heath.

“In the first 10 minutes or so we didn’t play as well as we could and our passing was sloppy.

“We misplaced too many passes and we were too open and they got a quick goal.

“But full credit to the boys because they stuck at it and kept working hard.”

However, Heath felt Blues were unfortunate to be trailing at the break in the first place.

“When you are down in the game and you are losing, I think the most important thing is that you stay in the game and again all credit to the boys because they definitely did that,” said Heath.

“I think it was a bit unjust not to come in at half-time at least drawing the game and with a goal on the scoresheet but we did well in the second half to win it.”

Bournemouth flew out of the blocks in the opening stages, and they took the lead inside the opening 120 seconds of the tie.

A left-sided through ball was controlled by in-form forward Jake Scrimshaw, and he held off the attentions of Jimmy Wallace to guide his shot beyond goalkeeper Callum Taylor.

However, Blues drew back level in the 51st minute when Matt Rush teed up Charlie Kelman, who clinically fired into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 10 yards.

The Shrimpers remained on top and, 11 minutes later, they took the lead when Freddy Eastwood teed up Terrell Egbri, who netted for the fourth game in succession.

Four minutes later Blues had made it 3-1 with Kelman scoring his 10th youth team goal in just his eleventh start.

The USA youth international persevered to twice win the ball in midfield before scoring with a fine lob.

Southend United U18s: Taylor, Chandler, Osimeh, Stewart (Dabbs 84), Knock, Wallace, Egbri, Benton, Kelman, Rush, Eastwood (Brogan 78)