Joe Duffy: On another day it could've been a different result

The Under-18s conceded three goals in the first half before mounting a comeback in the second, but just fell short on the afternoon as Brighton held on for all three points.

Speaking in his post-match interview, Duffy said the result was a tough pill to swallow after delivering a solid performance too late into the second half.

"I think it was a frustrating one to take, the second half reaction was what we needed. We were a bit slow in the first half an unorganised, the team talk got us going.

"We chased the ball down, we worked hard and gave 100%. We won the second half 1-0, were the better team and created chances. On another day it could've been a different result, it's a tough one to take when it's a game of two halves.

"I was pleased with the reaction, when the other team goes down to ten men you want to dominate the ball, you have more time. It's harder to stay patient, but I think we kept our cool and created chances, but it wasn't clinical.

"On another day we could've taken the chances. They were under pressure for the second half and with the red card, they crumbled. If we did that in the first half it would've been a different game."

It's a double-header for the U18s as they take on Brighton at the Lotus Training Centre in the Premier League Cup next week, which Duffy says is the perfect chance to put things right.

"I think next week is our chance to put things right, it's what we have to do. If we play how we did in the second half next week, we've got a really good chance.

"We know how they play, they know how we play. We have to stick together, train well and I think we can get the win to get us going."