Neal Ardley was a disappointed manager after AFC Wimbledon were knocked out of the Capital One Cup at Millwall on Tuesday night.
Despite a late rally at the Den, where Luke Moore’s last-minute strike had halved Millwall’s advantage, the Dons eventually succumbed 2-1.
Millwall’s Championship status would always mean it would be a tough night for Ardley’s League Two soldiers, but nonetheless he was ended the game in dejected mood.
“I am disappointed because I know this group can do better than that,” he said.
“Millwall are a good team and we gave them respect but there were times when we were passive, and that disappointed me.
Goal back: Luke Moore rushes to get the game going again after his last-gasp strike against the Lions Picture: David Purday
“There are positives. Although both goals came from our errors, I don’t think we were really carved open for a lot of the game, which is positive for our defending.
“When we were 2-0 down and we raised our game, we caused them a lot of problems. I was looking for that a little earlier in the game.”
He added: “We felt that going with three in midfield was the way to play it and we frustrated them for a while.
“We have a good squad, we know what they are capable of, but at this early stage of the season we are caught between two stalls at times and that is the coaching staff’s job to iron it out.”
The Dons welcome Wycombe Wanderers to the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday for their first home League Two game of the season.
Substitute: Chris Arthur torments the Millwall defence Picture: David Purday
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