United’s second string were second best at the SportsDirect.com Park, but the Magpies were still in the game at the break, with just Jack Byrne’s goal separating the two teams.
Though Richie Wellens’ men pulled away after the break with a further strike from Byrne and two from Eoin Doyle, Beardsley insisted he was proud of his youngsters’ efforts against the League One side.
“I thought even at 1-0 down at half time we were in the game, but to concede a second and a third in quick succession, it kills you,” he told nufc.co.uk. “It’s frustrating in that sense, but if they take it in the right way, it’ll be a good experience for them. It’s not nice losing, but if they learn from their mistakes, it’ll be a good experience.
“To lose 4-1 is harsh – people who haven’t been here will see the score and think ‘they must have got battered’. That isn’t a true reflection, but 4-1 is 4-1.
“I’m proud of them, because they kept going until the very end so in that sense I’m very proud of them – they couldn’t have put more effort in.
“In terms of distance covered, with all due respect to Oldham who played well and created chances, we possibly did more running. Sometimes you do that when you haven’t got as much as the ball, but I’ve got no complaints in terms of the effort, enthusiasm and attitude.”
United’s run in the competition comes to an end at the group stage, but Beardsley feels his players have been given valuable exposure to the kind of test they’ll encounter on a regular basis as they make the transition to senior football.
“You have to be a bit more physical – you have to tackle, and be tackled,” he said. “Richie’s team played some lovely football at times, but they’re men. You look at (Anthony) Gerrard, the captain – a big physical unit, who has played the game for a long time, and great in terms of organisation, toughness and character, and that’s what we’re trying to get into our players.
Beardsley added: “We take it personally because we’re very much part of the team and part of the unit. When it goes wrong, we’re to blame as well – I have no excuses for that – but it’s just frustrating, because 4-1, in my opinion, wasn’t a fair reflection.”
The Magpies take on Liverpool on Friday in the Premier League International Cup, and Beardsley feels the quick turnaround gives them the perfect chance to address their recent run of poor form.
“The brilliant thing is, in three days’ time we’ll play Liverpool. Football hurts you at the time, but very quickly you can move on,” he said. “The first team have an international break, they lost to Bournemouth and they can’t do anything about it for two weeks, through no fault of theirs – its just the way it us.
“There’s opportunities for others – certain people might not be able to play, certain players might be injured, Dan Barlaser’s suspended so someone’s going to have to take his place, so you just never know.
“But for us, we’ll move on, and in three days’ time we’re playing Liverpool, and it’s a great game for us to go into.”
