SAINTS Women boss Marieanne Spacey-Cale wants her side’s 3-0 Continental Cup defeat to Tottenham to serve as a learning experience ahead of a tight promotion run-in.

Second half goals from Charlotte Grant and Grace Clinton added to Ramona Petzelberger’s deflected goal.

The defeat meant Southampton were eliminated from the Conti Cup, but Spacey-Cale remained pleased with their progression.

Speaking to the Daily Echo she said: “In these games, you don’t get any time on the ball. We would like to try and move the ball quickly.

“The pace of the game today is something that we need to take forward – how we can move ourselves a bit quicker.

“It will be interesting to watch the game back from a coaching perspective, but ultimately for me, it was about getting those players on the pitch and giving ourselves a chance to learn.”

Southampton also bowed out of last season’s Conti Cup at the group stage, losing all three of their games.

This campaign saw them earn five points by beating Reading and claiming a bonus point draw against Bristol City after penalties.

“We played in a group of five where three of the teams are in the WSL and have finished in third place,” Spacey-Cale continued.

“That is a great achievement which highlights the progression that we have had. We want to make sure we build on that progression.”

Goalkeeper Kayla Rendell made her return from injury on Thursday evening, replacing Bethany Howard at halftime.

It marked the England youth international's first appearance since November 19.

Spacey-Cale revealed that the plan was always to give Rendell the second half as she continues to build towards a full return.

“We spoke to both goalkeepers yesterday and gave them both different objectives. Kayla had the objective of getting back onto the pitch and feeling things.

“That’s the great thing about these games because you can do that without the pressure of needing to win league points.”