Motherwell lost out in the SPFL Reserve Cup final at Tynecastle, with two second half goals consigning them to defeat against Hearts.
Strikes from Lewis Moore and Calumn Morrison did the damage against a young visiting squad, which featured a host of 17-year-old players.
Coach Maurice Ross said that inexperience showed on the night in Gorgie.
“We had a very young side out there,” he said. “Essentially an Under 18s squad with some first team players.
“So the achievement in some respects was just getting to the final.
“Hearts looked stronger, more streetwise and more mature in their play. We looked naive, but that’s alright.
“They’re young, they are going to be naive and make mistakes.
“The boys deserve credit for getting to the final. They just came up short. I feel sorry for them, but they will and get better for this.”
An even first half saw Jamie Semple have a handful of long-range efforts, but neither keeper was seriously tested as both teams went in level at the break.
But as Motherwell looked to increase their urgency going forward, Hearts got their opener early in the second half. With the ball bouncing in the box, Moore stole in the hammer home from close range.
Midway through the second half, the killer blow was struck. A low cross from the left saw Morrison run from right to left in the box onto the ball, firing past Rohan Ferguson to seal the result.
Motherwell: Ferguson, Donnelly, Devine, Hussain (McDonald), Livingstone, McAlear, Semple, Cornelius, Rehman (Watson), McKinstry, Johnson (Starrs).
Subs not used: Hemfrey, J Brown, Bowers.