MORTON director of youth Derek Anderson believes that last Sunday's Club Academy Scotland cup final defeat to St Johnstone will only stand the club's new under-18s in good stead.

Ton battled back from a goal down to level shortly before the break and then raced into what should've been a comfortable 3-1 lead in the second half.

But disaster struck as the young Saints were awarded two penalties inside the final half an hour to level things up before going on and holding their nerve in a dreaded penalty shootout.

The Ton academy boss reckons that despite the overriding disappointment, his side will learn and ultimately be better for the experience.

He told the Tele: "Naturally we are disappointed but the result will bring them back down to earth a bit. They're a great group to work with, who've had it all their own way for the best part of a year now and this is the first blip that they've really had.

"Their attitudes have been brilliant, so I'm predicting that they'll use the experience as a tool to go and play in the 18s squad. And it will help them develop even more now and drive on.

"We've told them it's all part of their development, but you've got to deal with it come back stronger and take it into next season now.

"Playing in front of a crowd like the game had is something new for them and if they want to become a professional, they'll have to get used to it.

"I was able to learn about the players too, looking at them and seeing the character they showed to bounce back from a goal down.

"After going 3-1 up they didn't look like our team. They got a bit nervy and stopped playing the way they can play.

"But as long as they learned from the occasion I'll be happy."

Anderson believes his side have set the bar with their performances this season but believes the final defeat could end up becoming their most beneficial result of the season.

He pointed to the calibre of players coming through behind them.

He said: "These boys have set a really high standard going forward. Not only for themselves heading into next season but for the year group that's about to replace them as under-16s.

"I think they've got the makings of a good and strong squad and even the group after them are a good group too. So we've got a good pipeline coming over the next few years.

"I'm not saying that getting beat in a cup final is a good thing, but for their development it could be one of their more beneficial experiences."