SOUTHEND United’s under 18 side kicked off their Merit League One campaign with a frustrating 2-1 defeat against AFC Wimbledon.

The Shrimpers led 1-0 until the Dons scored twice in the dying minutes to triumph at Boots & Laces.

But academy manager Ricky Duncan felt Blues should have taken something from the game.

“It was frustrating because the boys played some really good football and deserved to take something from the game really,” said Duncan.

“We had the chances to kill the game off and we paid the price for not taking them really.

“We gave away a silly free-kick which they scored from and we were punished from a lack of concentration at the end.

“But that’s why we like to be in the top Merit League because you’re playing the best teams.

“They only need five minutes to turn things around but the main thing is it’s a great learning curve for our players.”

Southend could have made the perfect start when Bobby Unwin seized on a misplaced pass inside the opening 60 seconds.

The winger allowed the ball to travel across his body, and that gave Dons goalkeeper Matt Cox enough time to effect a challenge on the edge of the six-yard box.

The ball ran loose to Oli Coker, whose cheeky back-heel dribbled wide of the right-hand post.

But, with 44 minutes played, Southend did take the lead.

Coker spread the ball wide to Unwin, and his driven centre was converted from close range by Demaray Anyadike.

Blues stayed in front until the 88th minute when Sam Brogan conceded a free-kick 25 yards from goal, and Jack Madelin curled the set piece into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Wimbledon were buoyed by the goal and set about grabbing a winner, which duly arrived in the first minute of additional time.

The ball was swept upfield quickly and Isaac Ogundere was able to divert the ball past Grossart to seal a 2-1 victory.

Blues next travel to Peterborough United this weekend.

Southend United U18s: Grossart, Chandler, Biler, Brogan, Wallace, Reeve, Anyadike, Brown, Adedoja, O Coker, Unwin.

Substitutes not used: Murray-Jones, Arrowsmith, Crowhurst, Eastwood, & Rodmell.