TONY Mowbray feels his side did more than enough to have their name in the hat for the second round of the League Cup after the Sky Blues crashed out of the competition on penalties at Rochdale.
Donal McDermott had given Rochdale a 1-0 lead at the Spotland Stadium on Tuesday night heading into the final ten minutes.
But City striker Marcus Tudgay netted a late equaliser to send the match into extra-time.
Neither side could find another breakthrough and when it came to penalties they were evenly matches at 3-3 after the first six penalty kicks.
But summer signing Ruben Lameiras was the unfortunate player to miss from the spot as Rochdale netted five times to book their place in the next round.
“It is disappointing but it should take nothing away from a good performance,” said Mowbray.
“We came back into the game and did brilliantly for the last hour of the match, and probably deserved to get through to the next round but that’s penalties.
“They were pretty direct and we knew that was coming. We had to rise above that and it was a poor time to concede a goal really.
“The disappointment is that we’re out of the competition when we’ve probably done enough to get into the second round.”
Next up for the Sky Blues is a trip to the capital to face Millwall on Saturday in their second league game of the season.
And neither side has the upper hand in terms of fitness after the Lions suffered a 2-1 extra-time defeat at home to Barnet.
“We’ll go to Millwall in a good frame of mind,” Mowbray added. “Tuesday won’t get to us, they’ve got to shake it off and go again.
“I was happy with Reice’s debut tonight. He deserves the chance and he needs the experience because if Lee gets injured or goes out of form, he has to come into it.
“There were plenty of good performances tonight as Marcus should be proud of his contribution and showed great awareness to score.”
Mowbray handed a full debut to young goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook and although the 21-year-old admits he would have liked to have saved a penalty, he was happy yo have been handed his first start.
He added: “It would have been the dream saving winning penalty on my debut but honestly it is an absolute dream to make my debut.
“It was a really good night for the family as my little brother Regan made his debut for Charlton, my parents will be proud!
“Oggy said to me before the game, play your normal game, don’t let the atmosphere get to you, it was a good crowd so I had to be composed. That gave me confidence, Burgey (Lee Burge) helped me as well and I did feel good.
“I look back at the goal and I’m kind of disappointed, but fair play to the lad he’s hit a great strike and I’m really looking forward to getting more minutes, whether that be in the league, JPT, FA Cup. The gaffer said I did well and me and Burgey are pushing each other to the next level and improving.”
