WE KNOW only too well that we didn't perform as well as we can on Saturday. It's always nice to put in a performance and get a result on the opening day of the season, so it was disappointing how things panned out.

As a team we fell below the standards that we have set ourselves and contributed to making MK Dons look a half-decent side; our passing was poor and we didn't retain the ball well enough.

 We have been working extremely hard over the past few days to put things right in the build-up to tonight's game and hopefully our efforts will bear fruit.

There was a spell at the start of the second half on Saturday where we got the right reaction. We equalised within four minutes of the restart and came into the game with a little bit of pressure, but sadly we couldn't keep up the momentum.

The key now is to bounce back in the right way this evening. Every club wants a good Cup run and we'll be doing all that we can to make it into the second round tonight.

Tranmere Rovers will be doing exactly the same as they too look to get a reaction from an opening day home defeat. They will come here prepared to roll up their sleeves and work hard, and we will have to match that.

As ever, your support is going to be vital and I look forward to hearing you in good voice from the first whistle to the last in order to give the lads the backing that they need.

CHRIS HUTCHINGS