Stevenage FC manager Darren Sarll lamented the mistakes his side made during the 6-2 thumping against Oxford United in the Checkatrade Trophy at The Lamex Stadium.

Despite taking the lead through Harry Beautyman, Boro’s young side were routed by the U’s and Sarll was quick to rue the errors.

The 34-year-old told the Comet: “I thought we started very well but we made two horrendous mistakes before half-time.

“We gave the ball away on the half way line then coming out of the back four. We were punished.

“When you play against better sides, you only have to present them with half a chance and they will take it.

“The chances and the way they were created was unacceptable in every sense.”

Sarll gave some of his younger players the opportunity to impress and while he believes the team’s performance was unacceptable, the Boro boss hopes it will be a learning curve.

“We wanted to be a little bit stronger tonight but with the injuries to a few players we thought lets be a little bit careful,” he said.

“So we opened the door to some of the younger players and we pride ourselves on blooding our youngster so we gave them an opportunity.

“When you are presented with that opportunity, you either walk through the door or the door hits you in the face. I think we saw the latter for some players tonight. “You have to be careful with young players.

“There’s not going to be too many managers who have just spoken in the way I have at academy or junior level. It’s an unforgiving world, the big bad world of professional football.

“You get that sensitivity when goals go in but you develop against that during the course of a career on nights like this, your success and your failures.

“All of these happen but you have to come out the other side. Jonathan Smith said in the dressing room that he’s been through loads of these but you have to come out the other side.

“If it strengthens them in the long run that’s great but they have been told unequivocally that a performance like that are unacceptable.”