Ash Foyle says there are plenty of lessons to be learnt by his side as they head into the semi-finals of the U17 floodlit Cup.
Foyle’s side were beaten at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday morning, but Foyle believes it is an important opportunity for his players learn before they host Bolton Wanderers in the last four of the national knockout competition later this month.
He said: "We were again a very young team and looking to use these games to help prepare for the upcoming U17 semi-final - and with some good competition for places people have a chance to impress."
Goals from Gbolahan Okewoye and Bailey Adamson looked to have earned the youthful Imps a point at Cantley Park, but Max Adamson's late winner - his second of the game, with Sam Brown also on the scoresheet for the hosts - snatched victory for the South Yorkshire side.
Foyle added: "A couple of injuries meant that we were a little bit disjointed and even younger than we had expected to be.
"After they managed to score the momentum swung in their direction and we struggled to regain it.
"The last goal will hopefully prove to be a really valuable one as there are multiple lessons that we can take from it to ensure we don’t suffer the same fate in a competitive fixture where the result will dictate a national cup final place."