Paul Hayes paid tribute to his young team mates after Brentford exited the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
The Bees were beaten 2-1 by Southend United in a Southern Section Quarter Final tie in Essex.
Brentford handed a First Team debut to Development Squad defender Aaron Pierre while Antonio German, who has only made a handful of substitute appearances for The Bees, played an hour.
Jake Reeves returned from a spell on loan at AFC Wimbledon to play only his second Brentford game of the season while 21-year-olds Lee Hodson and Rob Kiernan played their second games for Brentford.
The defence also featured Jake Bidwell, who is 19, and 22-year-old goalkeeper Simon Moore while 21-year-old Harlee Dean captained the side.
“The young players did very well,” said Paul, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“All credit to them.
“Aaron came on at half time, his first game for the First Team, and he was solid.
“He stepped up to the plate.
“Jake Reeves has been out on loan, he has had to bide his time.
“He did very well in midfield.
“Lee Hodson and Rob Kiernan have played their second games, they did very well.
“You want to see young players come through.
“You get a feel of how it was for you.
“They all have great attitudes.
“They have ability and it showed today, they can step up.
“If they are willing to learn they will be good players.”
Paul said Brentford should have won the tie.
They went 2-0 down in the first half to a deflected strike and a long range goal despite arguably having the better of it.
The Bees dominated the second half and although Paul pulled one back, they couldn’t find an equaliser.
“I think with the chances we had we should have won the game,” he said.
“We haven’t been clinical enough to get the win.
“We played very well but goals win games, we didn’t score enough.
“I think it was a good performance considering the players we are missing.
“The young players have done a great job.
“The players that came in have done themselves justice.
“We started well, their first goal was a sucker punch.
“We started to go a bit long but calmed down a bit and then they’ve scored a Worldy and it’s knocked us for six.
“We started well in the second half, got on the front foot but only scored one goal.
“We had time after we scored but it wasn’t going to happen.
“Southend had a game plan, they stuck to it well and we lost.”
Paul thought he had equalised in the first half when he scored after a Sam Saunders shot was saved.
However, the flag was up for offside and referee Mick Russell ruled the goal out despite a Southend player passing the ball to Sam Saunders.
The striker did score in the second half, latching on to a Harlee Dean pass to lash home.
“Sam and I reacted the way we did because their player played it to us,” he said.
“Jake Reeves has knocked it sideways and their player nicked it.
“Sam wasn’t offside.
“It was frustrating the lino didn’t see it.
“It’s a mistake but we can’t blame the result on it.
“We had 70 minutes after that.
“I was pleased with my goal, you have to hit the target from that position.
“It’s a goal at the right time.
“We were on the front foot, they were panicking but it was too little too late.”
Brentford sit fifth in npower League One and entertain Milton Keynes Dons, who are fifth on Saturday.
The defeat to Southend was their first in eight games and Paul said confidence was high.
“We have played well, the confidence is still there,” he said.
“We will go in to Saturday’s game raring to go.
“A few players have had some additional rest and will be ready for Saturday.
“We have had a tough November and this game is as big as anything we’ve had in the past month.
“We came out of November well.
“The next three or four before Christmas are massive, we play teams around us.
“If we can get some wins we will be in a great position.”
A full video interview with Paul Hayes is available here for Bees Player subscribers.