Southend United's reserves went down to a narrow defeat at Portsmouth, despite putting on a battling performance.

Second-string coach Steve Tilson included three trialists in his youthful side: the Leicester City duo of goalkeeper Michael Price and frontman Brett Darby, plus former Torquay right-back Simon Lyons.

The trio enjoyed steady games against a strong Pompey line-up which included £10million worth of strikers in ex-Celtic hitman Mark Burchill, Jamaican World Cup star Deon Burton and Nigerian Ayegbeni Yakubu.

Portsmouth took the lead after 25 minutes when Yakubu, who has scored five goals in the Champions League this season for Maccabi Haifa, nudged Burton clear to break the deadlock.

The Fratton Park outfit sealed victory five minutes before the break when Burton returned the favour, picking out Yakubu with a deep cross which the powerful forward headed home.

Blues refused to crumble however and put on a gallant second-half display, capped by teenage defender Jamie Gray's headed goal from Tilson's free-kick five minutes from time.

After the match, Tilson, said: "Nobody likes to lose, but there was no disgrace here. "Portsmouth had a very strong team out and my players can hold their heads high for their efforts."

Published Thursday, January 23, 2003

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