Ben Dawson has spoken of his deep disappointment after Newcastle United Under-23s lost 2-1 to Southampton in the Premier League 2 promotion showdown at St Mary's.
A late goal from Owen Bailey didn't prove enough to spark a comeback for Dawson's players on the South Coast.
The Magpies had conceded goals either side of half-time before a late rally almost took the game into extra time.
Afterwards Dawson told the Chronicle: "If we had played with the same urgency and intensity in the first half as we finished with this would have been a different story.
"We just didn't seem at it until it was too late.
"By that time we had a mountain to climb.
"That's disappointing but across the two games three of the goals have all come from set-plays.
"They are avoidable.
"It's difficult to take, but I am reminded them in the dressing room, as disappointing as it is, they have had a great season."
Indeed, last season United finished in the lower reaches of the Premier League's second rung and this season they have reached two finals in the play-offs and Premier League 2's play-off showdown.
Dawson said: "A lot of these players were in the Under-18s last season and have moved up to Under-23s."
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