DAVE Horseman insisted his side "played really well", despite going down 3-0 at Stoke City in Premier League 2.

Saints B were beaten by a brace from Abdallah Sima and a Sam Surridge strike, two players who have featured for the Potters in the Championship this season.

Kazeem Olaigbe and Teddy Davey came close to pulling goals back, but Saints went home empty-handed.

Discussing the defeat, boss Horseman told the Saints website: "I think we'll get loads of learning out of that. I actually thought we played really well, created some really good chances and generally controlled the game, looking a threat.

"The goals particularly are really big learning moments for certain individuals, which we'll pick up.

"We played against five or six Championship regulars and for large parts there was not a huge difference, but the critical moments are the bit that probably the youth in our team, we have got to learn.

"At the start of the second half, you need to play in their half, not keep going back and back and back.

"So there are just a couple of bits like that we need to brush up on.

"But the score seems really harsh on us. We were good in large parts.

"A couple of individuals showed they could probably play and compete with that level of player."

He added: "We sometimes get so hung up on winning and losing.

"We don't want to come out and play against Stoke's under-18s, it's better to play five first-team players, because we're actually trying to find the one or two that can help the first team whenever they're needed."

Horseman also confirmed both Oludare Olufunwa and Olly Lancashire were withdrawn from the contest due to concussion, while Sam Bellis suffered a hamstring injury.