OXFORD United’s young-sters will be better players despite suffering the heartache of a penalty shoot-out defeat, according to coach Leon Blackmore Such.

The U’s led 2-0 against Luton Town in their EFL Youth Alliance Cup Southern final on Saturday and were still leading heading into the 89th minute.

But the Hatters equalised through Joe Mead and went on to win the resulting shoot-out 7-6 in front of more than 500 supporters at the Kassam Stadium.

It was a tough defeat to take for the under 18s, but first-team boss Karl Robinson and owner Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth were among those to offer their consolation after the game.

Blackmore Such said: “When you’re 2-0 up they say it’s a dangerous scoreline and it proved to be.

“You want to try to slow the game down a little bit, but it’s all a learning process for them.

“Obviously everyone’s really disappointed.

“In time I’ll reflect positively on it – the manager and the new owner got to see it and they said some really positive words afterwards.

“Their message was the boys should be proud of what they gave to the game and some of them will be part of the future at the club.

“They will take a lot out of this experience. It will only make them better people and better players.”

He added: “Credit to Luton, I thought the game was entertaining and I’m pleased with the number of people here.

“I know the boys appreciated their support.”

United’s starting XI included four players offered contracts to become professionals next season who will be involved in an under 23 squad the club plan to set up.

They included the goalscorers Dejon Noel-Williams and Albie Hopkins, plus captain Matt Berry-Hargreaves.

The skipper was the unlucky one to see the 16th spot-kick of a high-quality shoot-out saved and players from both sides were quick to put their arm around the crestfallen centre back.

Blackmore Such said: “Matt’s a strong lad who is mentally tough and he will bounce back.

“He’ll pick himself up, it will hurt him right now, but he stepped up before some others and the goalkeeper just went the right way.

“He’s got a contract for next year and will hopefully fall into that under 23s group.

“He’s had this experience of missing a penalty, you never know this time next year he might be in the same situation and he puts it away.”