Lee Bowyer has praised his “outstanding” young Charlton side as they went down fighting in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Swansea City.

Academy graduates Ben Dempsey and Josh Davison, both 20, impressed as they were handed their full Championship debuts at the Liberty Stadium.

They were drafted into a starting 11 which also included two 19-year-olds, Albie Morgan and Conor Gallagher, before Alfie Doughty and James Vennings, also both 20, were introduced.

Despite an early Yan Dhanda strike sinking the Addicks, Bowyer admitted he could not fault their performances.

He said: “I am proud. I just said to the players, ‘Go out there you young lads, grab the opportunity’. I said, ‘I know you youngsters are going to give me everything you’ve got’, and they didn’t disappoint.

“The experienced players, they guided them through it. I can’t ask any more, they are giving absolutely everything. [In the second half] I thought we were the better side, and on another day we’d probably score a goal and win the game but it just wouldn’t go in for us tonight.

“But the most important thing was they didn’t give in. Yes, I want to win every game. I don’t like losing, but when they give you what they have just given there, there’s nothing I can say apart from that I’m proud of them.

“I think they were a credit to the football club because so many people are out [injured] and they just keep going. To go [and play in] two days’ time [with] two days’ rest, I can assure you it’s tough. But they just keep going, and going, and going.

“I can’t fault them in any way I thought they were outstanding.”

The Charlton starting 11 comprised five players aged 20 and under at one point – Albie Morgan, Davison, Dempsey, Doughty and  Gallagher – before Morgan was replaced with Vennings.

Bowyer admired their character, despite the circumstances, as well as the spirit they showed.

He added: “They didn’t hide. If they gave the ball away then they wanted the ball again. That’s what you need to do.

“They [the young players] are going to make mistakes, they’re human beings, but they just kept going and going and kept trying to make something happen, and pushing and pushing.

“I can’t fault them in any way.”