Beardsley Disappointed By Cup Exit

Peter Beardsley was disappointed to see his shot-shy Newcastle United Under-21 side bow out of the Under-21 Premier League Cup on Tuesday.

The Magpies slipped to a 1-0 quarter-final defeat against Blackburn Rovers at St. James' Park, with Dean Rittenberg's first half strike proving decisive and sending Rovers into the final four of the tournament.

A free-scoring side over the campaign to date, United were not their normal creative force and Football Development Manager Beardsley believes they left it too late to make an impression in the final third.

"It was disappointing," he told nufc.co.uk after the final whistle.

"We did some good things but you concede a goal like we did and you find yourselves on the back foot and chasing the game, which is never easy.

"Blackburn managed the game well and it was only in the last five minutes that we had a couple of decent chances.

"Credit to them because they came with a game plan, and when you get the first goal it's obviously easier.

"Adam Laidler did well at his first game at this level, Dan Barlaser at right full-back was good. The back four in general were pretty solid.

"We just probably didn't create enough chances at the other end or work their goalkeeper enough."

United's focus now returns to the Barclays Under-21 Premier League - which they top - and a trip to Reading on Saturday.

"The league is what you are judged on in any form of football," said Beardsley.

"It can go one of two ways for them now - they can either bounce back quickly or we start losing a couple of games.

"But to have done what we have done - only losing two games all season - has been a brilliant effort. We just need to make sure we respond positively from this one."