They may not have thought so at the time, but losing 7-0 to an experienced Sunderland side could prove a valuable learning experience for Scunthorpe United's young reserves, according to manager Alan Knill.

It is proving a difficult campaign for the Iron's second string, who have won just once and conceded 29 goals in six games.

They host Gateshead tonight (7pm), with Jimmy Ryan and Jordan Robertson both set to feature as they continue their comebacks from injury, along with Michael Nelson and Sam Slocombe.

As well as providing a chance for those first-team players to get a run out, Knill believes the games also benefit their younger colleagues.

"Last week at Sunderland it was like a Premier League team," said Knill.

"To be fair, they phoned us and told us it was going to be a strong team. And then when you get there and see it, you go, 'phew, it was a strong team'.

"First half we did well, it was just the second half, their quality got a little bit better of us.

"But it's good for the young players to play against those kind of players like Craig Gardner, David Vaughan, Titus Bramble, they are all Premier League players.

"I think it's a good experience.

"You don't want to keep losing, but sometimes you have to accept that, if it's a strong team, you might not be able to compete as well as you want to.

"But you always take something from it.

"That Sunderland team would probably win the Championship or be right up there. It's tough for the kids but as long as they take something out of it.

"Whether you're centre-half or the right-back and you're playing against better opposition, you have to learn what they're doing and watch what they're doing.

"Or if you're a midfield player and you're playing with Vaughan, you watch his movement and think, 'why can't I get close to him?'  - because his movement is so good, and then his first touch as well.

"You try to learn those sorts of things."