SOUTHEND United manager Sol Campbell praised his young players after seeing them slip to 1-0 defeat to Gillingham at Roots Hall.

Connor Ogilvie bagged the only goal of the game midway through the second half.

But, despite Blues suffering a fourth setback in succession, Campbell was pleased with the performance.

“For me, the lads have played fantastically well and put a fantastic shift in against a very physical side,” said Campbell.

““We stood up to the challenge and some of the young players played really, really well and showed good character too.

“We were a bit unlucky at the end too.

“We had a chance to equalise to equalise at the end but we couldn’t finish it off.”

Matt Rush fired that late opportunity wide of the left post when well positioned in front of goal.

And Campbell feels Rush will have been disappointed not to hit the target.

“Matt is a fantastic finisher and he’s probably thinking to himself he should have at least made the keeper work from that position,” added the 45-year-old.