Mark Yates happy with his team's performance against tough opposition.
Mark Yates speaking after the Capital Cup defeat to MK Dons:"I was delighted with the way we have stepped things up. The first few weeks have just been about fitness and getting the players playing football again. We have concentrated more on shape this week and we won't play like that all the time. MK Dons are a good side and we know that and even with ten men they are a good side. Bar the goal I thought they did exactly what we asked of them and on another day we could have won the game.
"I think Mo's goal has taken a slight nick on it but we are encouraging him to shoot because we need the end product and it paid off for him today.
"I was pleased with the whole group today. I've just said in there that we have a long season ahead of us. It's not about the eleven that started today or the eleven that will start next week - it's about the group and the best example is Jeff Goulding for me. He didn't play for three months last season and he then started at Wembley. I have no favourites and I'm more than happy to use everyone. I pick teams to win games and we can play a few systems.
"The only disappointing thing about going into extra time is the risk of injuries but it was nothing they can't cope with. In the long term it will do them the world of good.
"Jeff Goulding had a lad land on him on Tuesday night and the cut on his ankle was worse than we thought. He wasn't comfortable so he wasn't going to play. Steve Elliott had a virus last week and he did a bit of training on Friday but not enough for today. Alan Bennett had a little bit of cramp today so that is why we took him off. Keith Lowe was a more than adequate replacement, Harry Hooman was very good, Billy Jones was fantastic, Sam Deering contributed well and Chris Zebroski will be a real handful.
"I think the red card was a bit harsh. I knew he won the ball but I don't think he took off with both feet but you run that risk these days. I would have been disappointed if that had been one of my players. We didn't try and get him sent off because Sam has genuinely taken a whack on his ankle. We are honest here and we don't cheat - I think Sam genuinely felt a little bit of contact and I'm not going to have a go at him for that.
"I learnt that we have good players that, when given a job to do, will always do their best to do just that. The goal is disappointing and we slightly took our foot off the gas which meant we had to work harder in the second half. Lessons to learn all the time."