BOSS Carl Fletcher wants his Cherries young guns to learn from their bitter disappointment of exiting the FA Youth Cup.

Cherries’ poor recent record in the competition continued as they bowed out to Coventry City in the third round at Dean Court on Friday.

The Sky Blues took the lead on three occasions with Cherries battling back twice to force the tie into extra-time.

But despite two well-taken goals from defender Jordan Lee, the hosts were unable to fashion a third equaliser and succumbed to a 3-2 defeat.

Fletcher told the club website: “I didn’t think we put in a performance like we normally do. I was really disappointed if I’m honest. We really didn’t play well at all. This was an opportunity to show what a good side we are.

“We struggled to keep the ball, we didn’t defend properly and didn’t work well enough in the right areas.

“I think Coventry were just the better team all round. I don’t know if it was the occasion or playing at the ground, but we just didn’t show up. That’s the biggest disappointment.”

Table-topping Cherries have an immediate chance to bounce back when they travel to Bristol Rovers in the Youth Alliance tomorrow.

Fletcher added: “As long as they learn from it, that is all I ask. I’m not too worried about the score. We have a game on Tuesday so we will recover and come back better for it.

“They are young players and they are always learning the game. There will be good times and tough times. You learn the game when you are not playing as well as when you are.

“These types of games will help their development. Whether they play well or not, they will learn from it and use it in the future.”

Cherries goalkeeper Callum Stanton made a couple of excellent saves before Coventry opened the scoring when James Maddison netted from the penalty spot after Luke Holmes had been penalised for a foul on the stroke of half-time.

However, Lee levelled with a finely-taken goal before the interval, although Coventry again forged ahead courtesy of a curling effort from midfielder Ben Stevenson in the 71st minute. With three minutes of normal time remaining, Lee again came to Cherries’ rescue when he wriggled free in the box and rifled home a second equaliser.

But it was Coventry who grabbed the decisive goal when Maddison buried his shot into the roof of the net at the end of the first period of extra-time.

Cherries: Stanton, Lee, Randall, Lander (O’Connell, 81) Harfield, Matthews, Worthington, Butcher (Walker, 106), Holmes (Neale, 60), Quigley, Surridge. Unused subs: Millar, O’Flaherty (g/k).