Ryan Farrell drew positives from the experience his young Bantams will take from last night's penalty shout-out defeat to Bradford (Park Avenue).
A youthful City outfit took their hosts to spot kicks after a 1-1 draw at the Horsfall Community Stadium, before Avenue won to regain the Tom Banks Memorial Trophy.
The Bantams' lead professional development phase coach was happy with how the young side performed, and how they can only learn from the entire experience.
“The experience was invaluable,” Farrell said.
“In front of 2,000-plus supporters, going to penalties, the whole feel of the game has given us invaluable experience going into the season.
“We set out to win, but that was not meant to be, but overall, a great experience.
“We limited the opposition to very few chances, one mistake has cost us the goal but that will happen, and the lads will learn from it.
“We had a few first-year scholars in tonight, who can learn from this.”
The under-19s boss was also pleased with the experience the young side have gained being around more senior players throughout pre-season, and playing alongside some of the younger professionals in the first-team squad in the game.
“They are role models for the players below,” Farrell added.
“It was good to get them involved, for the lads coming into the programme, they can aspire to that.
“We understand that, and the players understand that. Bobby Pointon is doing well at the moment, with how he has played. That shows the players below that, if they perform, they will get opportunities.
“We have had a few games close together, and that has been challenging, but we have done well in those games and we have done well in between games in terms of recovery.
“We have had a variety of different games so far in pre-season, and we have more challenges coming up.
“We need to recover now. A few of the lads looked fatigued. We pushed them, so we will recover now and go again Saturday, which we look forward to.”
The young Bantams travel to Newcastle United's academy this weekend to partake in a tri-fixture against the Magpies and Dundee's youth outfits.