Liam Ross | Swansea City Under-21s were made to pay for a slow start

Swansea City Under-21s' coach Liam Ross believes the side were made to pay for a slow start as they fell to a 3-0 defeat to Cardiff City in the Professional Development League.

An early goal for James Crole gave the Swans an uphill battle, but they showed resilience with Kristian Fletcher and Kyrell Wilson forcing keeper Jake Dennis into two good stops, before Christian Antwi extended the home side's lead with an excellent free-kick.

The Swans showed far more control and intent in the second half, Dennis made another good stop before Harry Jones had a curled effort cleared off the line, while Filip Lissah headed wide from close range.

But as the game entered the final stages, Richard Faakye was shown a red card after a second bookable offence and effectively halted any real hope of a comeback.

Joel Colwill rounded off a frustrating afternoon for the Swans by firing in a third in the 89th minute.

“We’ve got a really disappointed changing room, but I think what we’re most disappointed about is the start,” said Ross.

“The start was nowhere near the standards we expect of them and they expect of each other. I think being that yard or two off in the end has killed us in terms of the final score.

“We’ve got quality in this team, and we know we’ll create chances, but out of possession in the first half – that is what we’re most disappointed with.

“To go a goal down early on was disappointing, but the other two goals are really good finishes and they just came at the wrong time for us.

“Even at half-time, we believed the team was capable of getting back in the game and we can’t fault the lads' effort in the second half, but if we started the game with that intensity I think it would have been a much happier changing room. They’re gutted as you’d expect.

“One thing I am happy about is how the players responded at half time, I thought we controlled the second half, we were so much more aggressive and on the front foot.

“For that period, until the red card, we were in control and I think if we’d got a goal in that period, it would probably be a completely different scoreline, I think we’d have gone on to at least draw the game.

“Games are coming thick and fast, this result will hurt, but we have to quickly move on. Friday at Hull is another big game so they to dust themselves down physically and mentally and be ready to go again.”