Portsmouth reserves' AFC Wimbledon defeat ends cup ambition

Jake Wigley's side for yesterday's clash compromised of players with first-team experience and academy youngsters.

They included Joe Mason, Louis Dennis, Luke McGee, Anton Walkes, Brandon Haunstrup and Danny Rose.

Yet the Blues couldn't match the Wombles, slumping to a 4-0 loss at the King's Sports Ground, with Tommy Wood (two), Bobby Mills and James O'Halloran netting.

In addition, Wolves loanee Mason was forced off with a groin injury after two minutes, replaced by Alfie Stanley.

The result leaves Pompey bottom of their group, having lost both matches so far in the competition. Despite having Bournemouth still to play, they cannot now reach the semi-finals.

And first-team coach Wigley was disappointed with the display.

He told The News: '˜It was a frustrating day, we conceded some poor goals, which were long throws and long balls that bounced into our box and Wimbledon got on the end of them.

'˜Wimbledon were very strong in both boxes and defended well, while we didn't really create too many clear-cut chances.

'˜We played some good football and had a lot of possession, but didn't create too many clear-cut goalscoring opportunities. What Wimbledon did was soak up the pressure a little bit and take the chances they had.

'˜On the balance of play, they deserved to win.

'˜Our side was a bit of a mixture, there are some first-year scholars and some senior players. Usually they never really get to train together on a day-to-day basis, so it's hard for them to come together just to play a game.

'˜It's difficult to get a cohesive unit together, but they are all good players.

'˜Wimbledon were a bit stronger than us, more physical than us in certain areas and had a good spine to their team '“ which was probably the difference.'

POMPEY: McGee, Mnoga, Walkes, Robb, Haunstrup, Maloney, Reed, Rose, Flint, Dennis, Mason (2 mins Stanley 2 (57 mins Johnston 57)).

Subs Not Used: L.Pitman, Kavanagh, Bridgman.