FA Youth Cup Fourth Round Ipswich Town U18s 2 Dagenham & Redbridge U18s 1 Ipswich Town’s U18 Academy boss Alan Lee praised his side after they progressed in the FA Youth Cup after beating Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 at Portman Road last night.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Town U18 boss, Alan Lee. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNIpswich Town U18 boss, Alan Lee. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN

Ipswich Town’s U18 Academy boss Alan Lee praised his side after they progressed in the FA Youth Cup after beating Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 at Portman Road last night.

The young Blues battled back from a goal down after just 11 minutes to take the victory – Jack Lankester netting twice – his second eight minutes from time.

They are through to the last 16 of the competition where they will host Blackpool, who beat Southampton on penalties.

“I think they put us through the mill a bit to be fair and credit to Dagenham & Redbridge because there was nothing between the sides,” Lee said.

“We possibly had a bit more legs and a bit more front in the end, but it was a tough game.

“In terms of effort and character our lads were brilliant and I’m pleased with that. But we can play better than that, we can make better decisions and be better with the ball in the next round. But now is not the time for that, we can talk about that later.”

Ipswich were the better team and had more of the possession, but they found themselves a goal down on 11 minutes despite starting the game well.

It was a setback they bounced back well from, however, and Lee admitted to get the equaliser just four minutes later was a boost.

“It was massive for us to score so soon after they had just taken the lead,” Lee said.

“We must remember we are dealing with kids here and they don’t deal with disappointment well.

“So to come back and score so quickly was crucial

“After that, it was close, they missed a couple, we missed a couple.

“One or two of need to understand why we ask them to move the ball quickly, do the simple things well.

“They not in the schoolyard now, they are not going to run through five or six challenges and score a goal. They’ve got to play as a team and move the ball better.”

But overall Lee was happy with his team and goalscorer Lankester.

“Jack is a boy who is really talented but he can’t get carried away,” Lee said.

“If he really learns the game and is really honest with himself, he will play even better than that.

“But we are in the last 16 and that’s nice. I won’t have to motivate anyone. We have some good players who have been playing well who didn’t play today. It’s Cardiff now on Saturday, a long journey. We must keep our standards high.”