SOUTHEND United suffered an agonising exit in the second round of the FA Youth Cup last night, losing 2-1 to Brentford at Roots Hall.

The Bees grabbed an injury time equaliser to take the tie to extra time before the Londoners’ keeper Jack Middleton kept out a 120th minute penalty from Ryan Auger.

But Southend’s head of youth Ricky Duncan did not feel his side warranted a place in the next round.

“I think we got what we deserved if I’m honest and that’s what I told the boys,” said Duncan.

“We were on top in the first half and if we had come in at half-time 2-0 up it wouldn’t have been an injustice.

“In the second half we let them back in to it and paid the price.

“We gave away two bad goals but if we had carried on playing like we did in the first half then I’m sure we would’ve won.”

Southend had the better of the first half and forced the first of a number of excellent saves from Middleton inside the opening minute when he kept out a Michael Hyland half volley.

Blues went close again in the 32nd minute when Jack Payne raced on to Luke Chambers’ goal kick but, after he rounded Middleton, the attacker’s effort was blocked by Joshua Clarke.

However, Southend did go ahead on the stroke of half-time when Hyland chipped the ball in to the box where Shamir Mullings side footed home.

Brentford were more on top in the second half and almost equalised when Jemar Dobson’s powerful shot was astonishingly saved by Blues goalkeeper Luke Chambers.

But they did get back level deep in to stoppage time when Dobson flicked the ball on to Michael Onovwigun who lofted a chipped finish over Chambers.

Things got even worse for Southend when the visitors went in front in the 115th minute when Greg Butler’s cross enabled Clarke to head home.

Blues then had a golden chance to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out when they were awarded a spot-kick in the final minute of extra time when Mullings was brought down by Lionel Stone.

However, Auger saw his effort kept out by Middleton who then recovered quickly to also keep out the defender’s follow up effort.

Southend United: Chambers, Auger, Hyams, Edwards, Tatham, Furlonge (Banton 79), Agyakwa (M Pinnock 86), Hyland, Mullings, Payne (Bridge 77), Paxman.