Read the full transcript of Stevenage FC manager Darren Sarll’s thoughts on Tuesday night’s 2-0 League Cup defeat against Millwall.

“We are out of the League Cup so there has to be an element of disappointment because we always want to progress.

“I played a strong side and I thought up until half-time we had the key moment in the game with the chance from Chris Whelpdale.

“We played quite well but when you go to Millwall, you have to play a certain way because they are built around a foundation that’s been there for two years and they’ve done fantastically well because of that.

“If we go to Millwall and try to play their way we would have got absolutely slapped so many times. We wanted to go there and be different, at times, a bit over the top and forced in our play but we felt it was the best way to counteract their attack and also increase our attacking penetration.

“I thought we played well. Up until half-time I thought we were in control and quite comfortable. I was pleased with the way we defended, there were no scary moments.

“Second-half we were not as good, I don’t think we were poor but when you are dealing with Tom Elliott of Millwall it’s difficult because if you don’t stop that cross into the box you can’t stop him.

“That was disappointing, to concede the same goal twice, but if you can’t stop the ball getting in the box you really are at its mercy.

“As a whole, I thought the performance was better and I thought the way we defended set plays was a lot better.

“We are out of the cup so I’m not exactly pleased, I’m not doing cartwheels down the corridor but there were signs of our improvement, definitely.

“I don’t think it was a learning curve.

“When you go to teams that are a better calibre than you or in a higher division, it may take four chances for you to get one.

“It’s just the way it works. You get into the Premier League, you get someone of that quality and it takes them one.

“Any time you give up chances to a team that plays in a higher division you are always at a bit of a loss as to why you’ve not taken your own chances. “But I don’t see it as a learning curve.

“I thought we tried to play our way and at times we caused them problems, but what we have to do now is turn those little passages into wins because it’s all about winning.

“You can ask me as much as you like about the performance and if we played well or learnt from it, unless you win I don’t really care.”