Ian Hendon was full of praise for young forward Brian Montenegro following Tuesday's thrilling 4-4 development squad draw at Dagenham & Redbridge.
Hendon was understandably frustrated with his side's inability to hold on to a lead at Victoria Road, where the Daggers came from a goal behind on three occasions to snatch a share of the spoils.
However, the development squad coach was more than happy with the contribution of Paraguay Under-20 international forward Montenegro.
The 18-year-old caught the eye with his intelligent running, relentless work-rate and the smartly-taken goal he netted to level the score at 1-1 in the first half.
"I thought Brian was the shining light with his movement. It's very difficult to communicate without having a translator here, so we do everything visually by explaining things using a graphic of a football pitch.
"He showed that he is a good player and, if he keeps showing that sort of form, people will take notice of him."
Tuesday's game also marked the return from injury of goalkeeper Peter Kurucz after 14 months out with two knee injuries. The Hungary Under-21 stopper came through 77 minutes unscathed before being replaced with the Hammers leading 3-2.
"That's the first I've seen of Peter and he said himself that he felt a bit rusty. That's to be expected when you've been out for 14 months. It's a long road back when you're injured - I know that from being a player - and it's a good feeling to get back on that pitch and be playing.
"This was a start for him and I'm sure he's looking forward to the next one."
Taking the game as a whole, Hendon was unhappy that his side could not close the game out, despite twice leading by a goal in the final ten minutes.
"Frustrated is probably an understatement. We played against a team that had a bit of League experience but, having said that, I don't think it was down to experience. The last two goals we conceded were schoolboy errors, I have to say.
"Their third goal was a free-kick into the near post and their player has flicked it, pretty much unmarked. The fourth goal was just a cross into the box and the keeper has got to do better - it's as simple as that. He has got beaten in the air by one of their players who probably wanted it a little bit more.
"It's not the result we were looking for but on the other hand it was a good workout."
The coach admitted the younger players in his squad would have to learn that their defensive responsibilities were as important as their attacking abilities - especially when trying to close a game out.
"At four-each at the end, we've still got midfield players making runs beyond the centre forwards. Alright, I know they want to win the game but we had the opportunity to do that when we were in front with a few minutes left on the clock. Our naïve defending cost us.
"It's all about learning, as we know. People will say about developing the players, but they've got to learn and develop.
"I've had a little honeymoon period, but there were a few mistakes which slipped into our performance at Dagenham which I wasn't pleased with. That is something we will have to deal with.
"I think the game was summed up by the fact we looked good going forward. There is another aspect to forward play and that the defensive one.
"As much as we created going forward, they created a bit too much going the other way. We know the ability these players have got going forward and we won't be taking that out of their game, that's for sure.
"We've got to be switched on going the other way, too."