Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst hopes that Wednesday night’s defeat to AFC Telford United will be a learning curve for the younger members of his squad.
Town went with a younger looking team and were beaten 1-0 thanks to an early second half goal from Elliot Newby.
“It was a good experience for the young players”, said Hurst.
“We wanted to win the game and that was the message yesterday and in the dressing room before the game, so I’m not happy we’ve lost the game, but ultimately that was a very young group.
“I still believe that if we had played to our best we would have won the game. We started the game well, but then lost our way a little bit and then they got the goal.
“Towards the end of the game fitness levels started to show and had the game gone a bit longer we might have got an equaliser, but overall we struggled to create any clear cut chances.
“Overall, it’s a mix. I’m obviously not happy about losing, but it is minutes for them and it’s a good experience.”
Lenell John-Lewis was the only Town player with much Football League experience in the line-up and Hurst believes the players need to show some more knowhow at times.
“We probably needed a little bit more knowhow on the ball”, said Paul.
“I don’t think we got enough men up in support in general. First half I thought we did okay at times, but overall I thought we tried to play in the wrong areas and it became a scrappy game.
“They had men behind the ball and had a good shape to them, but that’s where you’ve got to be a little bit cuter to draw them out of position.
“We haven’t picked up any injuries which is good again, but overall I think it’s a learning experience for them.”