KENNY Jackett is determined Millwall will bounce back next season from the disappointment of today’s play-off final loss against Scunthorpe.

The Lions found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-2 final score, despite leading 2-1 at the interval after Gary Alexander struck twice.

Alexander’s equaliser to cancel out Matt Sparrow’s sixth minute opener will live long in the memory, but his missed header with the scores at 2-2 was punished moments later when Martyn Woolford struck Scunthorpe’s winner five minutes from time.

Jackett conceded afterwards the players were devastated by the result but added his squad had learned a valuable lesson today.

The manager said: “It’s a hard one to take. I’m extremely disappointed and there’s no middle ground here – it is either elation or desperation.

“I told the players to use the extreme emotion and disappointment to make sure that they’re doubly determined to start well next season.

“I thought there may have even been another goal or two in it for us, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case.

“It was a fantastic game but that is no consolation.

“The game was 50-50 chance-wise but unfortunately the result went against us.

“It was a five-goal thriller but we were on the wrong end of it.

“We have to make sure there’s no hangover and that we come back strong next season.”

And the boss refused to apportion any blame on Alexander after his crucial miss, instead preferring to concentrate on what he and strike partner Neil Harris had done right.

Jackett said: “I have to say I was pleased with my front two today.

“Harris and Alexander had good games and I was reluctant to take them off because even late in the game there is usually a chance, as that Harris one proved.

“It was a great save by Murphy from Harris after they scored.

“I also thought Chris Hackett came on and did very well today – there were some cracking crosses he put in.

“It was disappointing to lose a key player because Jimmy Abdou has played well for us this season, but he had a back injury and had to come off at half-time.”

Defeat at Wembley means Millwall will have to do it all again in League One next season, but Jackett is determined to keep his present squad intact to have another crack at it.

He said: “It’s a tough division to play in, even compared to the Championship and League Two. Ninety points could only get you second this year.

“You can see the potential of the club with the performance today and the amount of fans who came.

“They backed us all the way through and I was disappointed for them.

“Losing at Wembley was desperately disappointing as a player (with Watford in 1984) and now as a manager.

“But between this and making the fourth round of the FA Cup where we lost away from home to a Premier League side, we’ve done well this season and I’d love to keep this side together.”