SOUTHEND United coach Danny Heath thought his side were second best for most of tonight’s FA Youth Cup clash at Bowers & Pitsea.

Blues won the third qualifying round tie 2-1 at the Len Salmon Stadium.

But Heath was honest in his assessment of the game.

“On the night, for probably 75 minutes, Bowers were the better team,” said Heath.

“It’s easy for me to stand here and say it because we’ve won the game but I would’ve said it even if we didn’t go through.

“Bowers hit the post in the first half and I don’t think we had a shot on goal before half-time.

“We were lucky to come in 0-0 at half-time but they scored early on in the second half.”

And Bowers soon came close to making it 2-0 with Fin Purcell tipping Alfie Osbourne’s shot over the crossbar after Blues had failed to deal with another corner.

“We spoke at half-time about defending set plays because we didn’t look comfortable,” said Heath.

“But they got the first contact with a header and to be fair it’s a good reaction save from Fin.

“But if it goes to more to the left or the right then it’s 2-0.”

Following Purcell’s save, Max Fiddes brought Blues back level before Henry Sandat netted the winning goal six minutes from time.

And Heath was at least pleased with how the Shrimpers were able to secure victory.

“We’ll take it and maybe for the last 15 minutes we upped the tempo a bit,” said Heath.

“It’s about finding a way to win so that’s well done to the boys for doing that.

“We wanted the performance to be better but we’ll take being in the hat for the next round.”

However, Heath did stress the players will need to improve if they are to keep on progressing through the ranks at Roots Hall.

“The performances have got to be better than that if they want to push on, even short term, to be in the B team games,” said Heath.

“Long term as well if they want professional contracts at the club then they will have to perform better than that.”

But, in stark contrast, Heath was keen to praise Bowers for their determined display.

“A lot of credit has to go for them and what a performance it was from them,” said Heath.

“It shows the level of semi-professional football too.

“I’ve seen Billericay play Heybridge and Cockfosters and Bowers play Hutton and Burnham and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching the games.

“It shows the local talent that’s out there and that’s a positive thing for the area.”

However, the evening ended on a sour note with Henry Sandat reacting angrily after being shown a late red card.

And Heath will be dealing with the matter in house.

"I don’t want to talk publicly  about it but if the ref adds on those four or five minutes, which I’m surprised he didn’t, with us playing with 10 men it gives Bowers an opportunity to put us under pressure," said Heath.

"We’ll speak to Henry behind closed doors but the whole team has to learn that you’ve got to keep your heads."

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>Blues win FA Youth Cup clash at Bowers & Pitsea