SAINTS manager Nathan Jones admitted his side had been made to pay for a slow start at Newcastle United, adding: “It gave ourselves a mountain to climb.”

The St Mary’s side were knocked out of the EFL Cup 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-final, after a 2-1 defeat on the night at St James’ Park.

Saints failed to handle the rocking atmosphere and folded with Sean Longstaff scoring two goals inside 21 minutes to put the tie beyond doubt.

Che Adams scored from a nothing chance outside the area to breathe life back into the excellent travelling support, but only Adam Armstrong came close to another.

“Look, congratulations to Newcastle, they’re a fantastic side and on the whole over the two legs they probably deserved it,” Jones said, speaking after the match.

“We were really disappointed with the first 15 to 20 minutes because it just gave ourselves a mountain to climb and they’re poor goals to give away and it’s definitely worked on, stuff we’ve identified from the first game from what they do and to concede in those manners was really disappointing."

He continued: “The reaction was fantastic. We got a goal and I thought we were the better side from then on in.

“But to ask yourselves to score three goals at St James’ Park to take the game to extra-time is a big ask because these don’t concede goals. We created chances, we created opportunities, but nothing gained. It’s just too much to do.”

With Eddie Howe’s Newcastle having kept 10 consecutive clean sheets before Tuesday night, sitting third in the Premier League and chasing Champions League qualification, there can be little argument that the better team won.

But over the two legs, Saints – who are bottom of the top-flight for the same reason – had big chances saved by goalkeeper Nick Pope at pivotal points.

“If we defended better we could have got more from the tie,” Jones conceded, when asked by the Daily Echo if defeat hurt more with the chance to do something there.

“It was three crosses and midfielders arrive in the box and score. It’s stuff we’ve identified, stuff we’ve worked on, so you can talk about systems, you can talk about everything, but it’s poor.

“One, we’ve got to defend the cross better, but two, you can’t let runners go into your box and they’ve done that. That’s how we’ve been undone, three goals from midfield players arriving in the box. It’s poor.”

Jones added: “On the whole I think they probably edged it in terms of everything but we’ve shown we can take a quality side right to the wire. I’m very happy with that.

“Alright, there’s a lot of positives to take from it, but we have to defend a little bit better in moments and then continue that and grow in these performances because ultimately it will stand us in good stead.”