Eric Kinder gave us his reaction to the Reserve 2-1 defeat against Blackpool on Wednesday evening:

"I'm very pleased with how the lads played in this one, because they have come up against a side that has experience, and matched them.

We effectively had our Youth team out there and, even though Blackpool also had a relatively young side, they were all players with experience.

We created enough chances to have won four games, and we played some really decent football as well.

The game was at Fleetwood, and the conditions over the last few weeks made for a really difficult surface. With the exception of Chris Howarth, Darren Campion and Luke Joyce, we had a Youth team out there, and they have handled a Championship Reserve team very well.

We decided to do that because of the first team fixtures that are coming up, and we wanted to protect our senior players as much as possible. We had no problem with using our Youth team, because we have every confidence in them now. The manager was there, and was delighted with what he saw.

We started brightly, and we were ahead after 5 minutes. Cook and Madine combined, and Cooky ran free, went round the keeper and scored a terrific goal. It was his first at this level, and it was a superb way to open his account.

We had three or four really good chances after that, with Madine, Cook and Hindmarch all going really close. If we're honest, the game should have been completely out of sight by half time, and on another day it would have been.

We were on top again after the break, but we gave two really poor goals away, from our point of view.

Tom Aldred was isolated at one against one against their right winger, who was an absolute flying machine, and he scored at our near post when he got his shooting opportunity, and I know Chris Howarth was disappointed with that. Their second came from a cross, and the header took it beyond Howarth and in to the net, again at the near post.

As a team, we were disappointed with what we did defensively in both situations. We still had plenty of chances of our own, and we could actually have turned it round if we'd taken them, but it wasn't to be. That's the nature of the game, if you miss your chances you tend to get beat.

Overall, though, I am absolutely delighted with the way we played. It proves to me that we are moving in the right direction, especially when we can play our Youth team at this level and watch them dominate.

Connor Tinnion was outstanding from start to finish. He's growing in to the role that we are asking him to play, and we had an idea that we would slowly introduce him at Reserve level. Well, he's taking to it, so instead of 45 minutes here or there, he's getting 90 minutes, or just short, every game now. Cook and Madine were also a real handful, and the two centre halves were strong and disciplined.

One thing I would like to say is that the attitude shown by Darren Campion, Luke Joyce and Chris Howarth was exemplary. We ask the more senior lads to lead by example, and they were talking to the young lads all the time, advising them and getting the best out of them. Not many senior players can do that, but they made it very enjoyable for the Youth players.

I don't like losing, but there are ways and means. If you are going to lose, then it's better that it's when you have played good football, and given a good account of yourselves. I'm pleased to say that's where we were with this one.

These young lads are developing now, week by week. Hopefully that will continue, and we'll be alright. The Youth side have had a terrific season, and we just need to keep it going now for another few weeks."

Team - Howarth, Brown, Wordsworth, Aldred, Campion (Duffy 70), Hindmarch (Blake 75), Wood, Joyce, Tinnion (Seaton 68), Cook, Madine. Subs - Carson, Dowson.