Lead youth Development Phase coach Frank Sinclair laments Rovers U18s heavy loss to Scunthorpe United.
The game finished 7-2 with a brace from Jack Goodman providing a slim positive for the youth team.
Sinclair said: “It’s disappointing to have lost in the manner that we did. Given the conditions of the day it was a match where you must roll your sleeves up and battle.
“We were second best at first contacts and running harder and longer.
“We did not defend our box well enough, and we ultimately got what we deserved because Scunthorpe had more desire.”
Attentions now turn to preparing for Shrewsbury Town in the Youth Alliance Cup and Sinclair is determined to turn the corner from the Scunthorpe defeat.
He added: “We’ve been on a bad run before, and we’ve got better at a lot of things.
“Sometimes you need games like the Scunthorpe one to understand where you’re at.”