The Sky Blues Under 23s fell to a 0-2 defeat in Professional Development League South action against Charlton Athletic Under 23s at the Ricoh Arena.
The Addicks managed to find the breakthrough in the second when their number 14 was able to beat Tom Bilson who made a string of good saves in the game.
Then, with Jason Farndon's side looking to get the equaliser, a counter attack for the visitors saw them get their second late on, when the number 16 converted from close range.
The first chance of the game fell to the Sky Blues after 12 minutes, when a good exchange between Chris Camwell and Jack Burroughs, saw the latter switch the ball out wide for Billy Stedman and he cut inside and looked for the far corner, but the ‘keeper saved.
However, on the 57th minute the deadlock was broken, as Charlton’s number 14 was able to beat Bilson this time to put his side 1-0 up at the Ricoh.
The Sky Blues battled to get back into the game, but the next opportunity fell to the visitors in the 79th minute, when the Addicks number nine tried to curl an effort into the top corner, but it went wide.
However, with seconds left to play, Charlton doubled their lead as their number sixteen tapped home from close range to put the game out of sight.
In what was a young Sky Blues side, Jason Farndon was disappointed with his sides performance in the game.
He said: “We were forced into playing players, obviously with the first team game this week and a few injuries and suspensions which means some players had to train today and I’m really happy with that because it gives them an opportunity.
“However, we have probably been forced to play some Under-18s when, to put it bluntly, they don’t really deserve to be there through their performances this season.
“But the one good thing about this club is that the opportunity always arises and that’s how I tried to frame it up, that maybe they didn’t play so well in the last game but let’s see what you can do this time at the Ricoh etc.
“Six of them played 90 minutes on Saturday so you could see they were really tired and it was a really lacklustre performance.”
The squad was built-up of young under 23 players and a majority of the under 18s, with the likes of Jack Burroughs, Billy Stedman and Morgan Crowther leading the attack.
Farndon believes in future games, these under 18s will need to try and shine when they get their chance in the under 23 fixtures, in order to stake a claim for next season.
“We need players to shine in these games because none of the 18s have been offered professional contracts yet so these are the opportunities you get to try to get one.
“They were just a little bit lacklustre, with no speed, no life or energy so I am really disappointed.”
“I told them in the pre-match that even in the bottom club at any league there’s always a star in that team that everyone wants.
“If the side is weakened there are always people who can step up and grab the limelight, and I don’t think anyone did that so I am really, really disappointed in the performance.”