TERRY Pashley has encouraged his Under 18s to use their FA Youth Cup semi-final disappointment to spur them on to league success.

The Clarets came up short against rivals Blackburn Rovers over both legs, losing 2-1 at Turf Moor on Wednesday and 3-1 on aggregate.

But having won their last 12 games in the league Pashley is urging them not to let their Youth Alliance title hopes falter and use their two games in hand to topple Preston North End, who lead the table by two points.

“We’ve still got a job to do,” said the youth team coach.

“It will be interesting to see how they react when they’re back in training.

“We’ve never been in this situation before (in the FA Youth Cup). But we’ve tasted both sides, the elation down at Fulham and the disappointment (on Wednesday) and it’s something we’ve got to learn to deal with. We’ve got to get over the disappointment very quickly because when the next game comes along we’ve got to be ready for it.”

And, ahead of tomorrow morning’s game against Wrexham at Gawthorpe, Pashley insisted he would not allow the players to sulk.

“It’s their efforts and their ability that got us this far.

“They’ve got nothing to be down about.

“We won’t allow them to be.

“We’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves.

“We just came up short in the end – not for the want of trying but we got beat off a good side, and as I said to the boys there’s no disgrace in that.

“We did our best, and it’s been a good journey.

“It’s been a good education for them.”

And Pashley believes the experience will stand them in good stead for their futures in football.

“They’ve come into the football club to be footballers,” he said.

“You’ve got to deal with the emotions and get over it.

“They’re good lads and I’m sure they will.”

Manager Eddie Howe has vowed to integrate a number of under 18s into the senior set-up before the end of the season, and with the prospect of a couple being included for the weekend trip to Portsmouth, Pashley added: “That should pick them up if there are a few who get the call.”