Coppell Saw Hearbroken Players

City boss Steve Coppell said that his team were heartbroken after exiting the Carling Cup first round at the hands of Southend last night.

The Robins looked like they could have easily progressed after taking the lead twice in the game with strikes from Jamie McAllister and Ivan Sproule.

But having squandered the lead twice, the home side showed a never say die attitude to win the game 3-2 after extra-time.

Coppell said: "I walked into a dressing room of heartbroken players again because we wanted to win this to kick-start our season.

"The result is the be all and end all so it is disappointing. We wanted to go in to the next round and to lose after being ahead twice is frustrating.

"The lads gave 110%, though, and can't be faulted for effort.

"We looked good early on but Dean Gerken has made some fantastic saves for us. He has been a top goalkeeper for this club and it was good to see him get a game but the result wasn't what we wanted."

City midfielder Cole Skuse was the latest to be struck with injury having been subbed with a hamstring complaint at the interval.

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