NEWPORT County AFC academy coach Byron Anthony was full of praise for the club’s under-18s despite their FA Youth Cup 2nd round defeat to Southend United, writes Andrew Penman.

The Exiles youngsters went down 2-1 in extra-time at Rodney Parade on Tuesday night.

Striker Connah Hughes gave the hosts the lead in the eight minutes but Norman Wabo’s leveller midway through the second half and a 103rd-minute penalty from Harry Phillips saw the Shrimpers progress.

Anthony told the club’s official website: "Obviously we are disappointed. I thought the lads did really well on the night, stuck to the game plan and I think we held them for large parts of the game.

"Connah Hughes was fantastic; his work ethic and his hold up play were superb.

“We didn't think we were going to score as early as we did but we knew if we could get out and set a high tempo we could create opportunities.

“Connah's goal was a great finish and it allowed us to get off on the right foot."

He added: “Goalkeeper Rhys Davies has a big future at the football Club. He is a young lad, still only 15, and he has made some great saves.

“He is obviously upset after conceding the penalty but he will learn from this experience and so will the rest of the lads.

“The boys were on out on their feet at the end, after putting a massive shift in. Overall it was a fantastic performance.

“We had a good chat with the lads in the dressing room after the game and we told them that they should be proud of themselves.

“They did the club proud with a performance worthy of wearing a Newport County shirt.

"The boys will learn from this now and we will look to carry on our good form in the Football League Youth Alliance and hopefully go the distance in the FAW Youth Cup."

Academy director Grant Kalahar said: “The boys stuck to the game plan we set them for and for the majority of the 90 minutes it worked.

“To go out of the competition in such tough circumstances is hard on the players but they can take this experience into the Football League Youth Alliance now.”