The City Under-21s coach has also praised Marcus Tudgay's performance after his first-half strike at Liberty Way...
Coventry City Under-21s coach Darren Murray has admitted the side's inexperience cost the Sky Blues in the 2-1 defeat to Crewe Alexandra.
The Under-21s suffered defeat at Liberty Way at the hands of the Alex despite going ahead in the first-half thanks to Marcus Tudgay's strike.
City were in control and missed several chances before a late double from Lauri Dalla Valle, including one from the penalty spot, sealed victory for the visitors.
Murray admitted his frustration after the final whistle and that City should have been further ahead at the break.
The Under-21s coach said: "The first-half was as good as we've played all season in terms of the way we moved the ball and found space.
"We created so many chances through our excellent combination play and couldn't have been happier at half-time in terms of coming in ahead but we could have been three or four up.
"Of course, we're disappointed with the second half. They've switched their system and made their front three narrow which caused us problems.
"We were always trying to play our way out and all the space on the pitch was behind them which made it really difficult to get out."
City ended the game with six Under-18s players on the pitch as Murray started Cian Harries and Dion and Devon Kelly-Evans as a back-three.
Murray believes the goals City conceded will be a learning process for the young players and has also praised Marcus Tudgay's attitude.
He added: "You look at the goals we've conceded and Cian Harries has given away the penalty whilst the ball was taken off Dion Kelly-Evans for the winner.
"They showed a little bit of inexperience but that happens when you play young players at a higher level. It is a great learning process for the Under-18s players.
"I thought the work-rate today was brilliant and the all-round performance was extremely good. The twins showed a real aggressiveness which we want to see from our players at this club.
"I thought Marcus Tudgay was outstanding today. He had a fantastic work-rate and showed a real enthusiasm for the game which is exactly what you want to see.
"It was a loss but sometimes, when you're developing young players, you've got to take a step back. It might cost us in the short-term but the long-term gains will be worth it."