Bryan Robson applauded his team's effort but still felt that defensive errors had been their undoing against a superslick Arsenal in the Carling Cup defeat.

"I thought we competed well in the first-half although I thought, after looking at the video, that Ian Bennett might have done a bit better with the first strike, considering the angle and distance.

"But the second goal killed us really. We had spoken at half-time about being compact, maybe holding them until the later minutes and then, with a possible change or two, having a go at them.

"But they sliced right through us when our marking was non existent and there is no way back from that against a team like Arsenal.

"I can't complain about our attitude or commitment, the lads worked hard but they were just too good for us. Arsenal are a great team and they pass the ball about so well, even with their second string players on the park."