Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock insists his young Eagles side took more out of the FA Cup third round defeat than victors Watford after crashing out to Danny Shittu's double.

Warnock made five changes from the side that started in the 1-1 draw against Norwich City on New Year's Day, most notably teenagers John Bostock and Lee Hills were both handed starts.

Scott Flinders, Jose Fonte and Carl Fletcher were also handed rare starts, youngsters Victor Moses and Ryan Hall both made second half cameos, while regulars Tom Soares and Shaun Derry were both rested.

However, Warnock's chopping and changing did not have the desired affect after Shittu's headed brace gave the Championship high-fliers a deserved victory over the fledgling Palace side to end the Eagles' 13 match unbeaten sequence.

But Warnock insists his side were the true winners on the disappointing afternoon.

"I think we've got more out of the game than Watford have, I think it was a very good work out.

"I told them before the game that some of the youngsters would be starting and I thought the kids came through really well.

"None of them shied and as the game wore on we got a lot more confident."

But Warnock admitted he was frustrated by his side's defending after being hit by two identical goals from corners - and the Eagles chief singled out skipper Mark Hudson for criticism.

"Shittu took his goals well - but Hudson could have done a little better for both goals.

"He is hard to mark and it is up to us to deal with it, and we will try and rectify that when we play them again.

"I think next time we come here we could give them a good game - it could be third time lucky for us."