Cambridge United head coach Neil Harris learned good and bad lessons about his players during FA Cup defeat to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park

Neil Harris has revealed that he learned both positive and negative lessons about his Cambridge United players during today’s 5-2 defeat at higher-league Blackburn Rovers in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.

The striker-less U’s gave a good account of themselves during the first half at Ewood Park, where they twice took the lead through Jack Lankester and Sullay Kaikai.

However, Harris’ team headed into the break 3-2 down courtesy of a Sammie Szmodics hat-trick and Rovers underlined their Championship quality in the second half with further goals from Arnor Sigurdsson and Harry Leonard.

Speaking after overseeing his sixth game in charge of the U’s, Harris said: “I learnt a hell of a lot about the group again.

“They can deliver a game-plan. The execution of the game-plan was excellent for 45 minutes.

“But the negative is that we’ve still got individuals that switch off and give up chances too easily, whether that’s in your own penalty area or with the football.

“I questioned the mentality last week at the start of the second half (against Leyton Orient) and again, we lost too many duels.

“Against good football teams you can’t come out the wrong side of tackles and headers and races and reactions.

“There’s lots to improve for us, but positives as well and we look forward to a home game back at the Abbey (against Fleetwood Town) next week.”