SOUTHEND United coach Danny Heath was proud of his players following tonight's FA Youth Cup defeat to Middlesbrough.

Blues made it through to the third round for the first time since the 2015/16 season.

And Heath was also delighted with how hard the Shrimpers fought in this evening's 3-0 defeat at Roots Hall. 

"First and foremost we said to the boys in there just how proud we are of them and how proud they should be too," said Heath.

"That's not only for getting to this round but how they played against good opposition tonight too.

"They've shown plenty of positives and I don't think we've been outclassed."

However, Heath was disappointed with the goals the Shrimpers gave away.

"The first goal we spoke a lot in the week about their wingers and how good they are at coming inside and looking for combinations," said Heath.

"We should have been prepared for that happening and maybe look to block him off when he looks to get the second ball.

"The second one is a penalty but it's come from us being on the attack.

"We said at half-time we looked vulnerable from our attacks at times because the speed in which they moved the ball forward was really good.

"Albeit the lino said there wasn't any contact and it wasn't a penalty but he can't overrule the ref.

"Fin has put his hands up in there and said by going to ground he's asking the referee to make a decision.

"The third goal there was an opportunity to be more aggressive in midfield to win the ball.

"They then got out on the switch and we seemed to back off from there.

"We let him get the shot off and it's hit the post and gone to their player for a tap in.

"But I didn't think it was a battering and in the first we had one or two good opportunities.

"If we took them it could've been a different outcome on the night."