Everton's under-18s suffered something of a double disappointment as they were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday evening.
Not only are the youngsters now losing out on silverware, which is a crucial part of the game for any player, but they are also missing a couple more opportunities to build an impressive platform for their future.
Just look at a few of the players involved in the Blues' run to last season's quarter-final, for example.
Tyler Onyango is regularly training with the first team and has made Premier League appearances this season.
Thierry Small became Everton's youngest-ever player before securing a permanent move to Southampton in the summer. Lewis Warrington is now playing senior football with Tranmere Rovers after moving out on loan.
Even the likes of Reece Welch, Elijah Campbell, Tom Cannon and Charlie Whitaker have all made themselves regulars in the under-23s in recent weeks and months to continue their development path.
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This is an important competition for youth sides. It gives that extra competitive edge, and it allows players a prominent platform to maybe catch the eye of supporters, staff at their current club, or even scouts from elsewhere.
Everton's 4-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night was eventually deserved. The visitors had periods of domination in the first half, and the penalty the hosts earned to equalise was a frankly ridiculous decision.
But, following that strike, the Blues' opponents gained the upper hand and never lessened their grip on proceedings.
Paul Tait's side will certainly still be disappointed at the manner of the equaliser, and who knows what might have happened if that spot-kick hadn't been given so quickly after Francis Okoronkwo's well-taken opener.
But, in terms of development for selected youngsters, there was still a number of stand-outs that could look back on matches like this as crucial for their futures.
Everton's goalscorer, for example, was impressive in the first half once more - having put in a fantastic display against Sheffield United at Goodison Park in the previous round.
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Okoronkwo's goal again showed his attention to detail, ability to be in the right place at the right time, and his confidence to find the bottom corner to finish a chance that was far from easy.
He faded somewhat in the second period as United dominated more and more possession, but he always seemed to be open for a pass in his position on the left flank.
But while Okoronkwo's influence might have waned in the second period, Jensen Metcalfe's only grew.
The central midfielder got himself on the ball a lot more, constantly looking for passes from his defence and attempting to drive Everton forwards.
He might have got on the scoresheet on another day, with his rasping long-range effort clipping the woodwork after a misjudgement from Manchester United's goalkeeper to pull out of an attempt to save the effort.
The performance of Ishe Samuels-Smith is certainly worth a mention, too.
He's one of very few out-and-out left-backs in the entire setup at Everton right now - with the under-23s at the minute utilising midfielders or central defenders as wing-backs, including Campbell who played in the middle alongside Welch for the under-18s on Wednesday.
But the 15-year-old was solid throughout, not scared to get up the other end of the pitch to create chances and looks a very interesting prospect for the future.
Up front Martin Sherif showed glimpses of some great tenacity, strength and technical ability. Stanley Mills, Matty Mallon and Luke Butterfield are players that anyone who watches the under-23s on a regular basis will know well.
That's the next step for some of these young players. It's a reality for many of the rest.
Exiting the FA Youth Cup will no doubt hurt this squad for the next few days, but it should also give them the drive and determination to aim for more throughout the rest of the campaign.
Many showed the right qualities they need to progress through Everton's ranks throughout this cup run. Let's see where that takes them in the future.
