WANDERERS chief Gareth Ainsworth said his young centre back pairing had the beating of their more experienced opponents on Saturday.

Anthony Stewart and Kortney Hause were tasked with keeping former Blues favourite Stuart Beavon and one-time England international Kevin Davies quiet during the weekend FA Cup tie against Preston North End.

Between them they've made just 73 professional appearances - ten times fewer than Davies has made individually in his career.

And although could only look on as Davies scored a sublime winning goal to book a third round trip to Ipswich, Ainsworth said they won the battle.

The Blues boss said: "It's a great learning curve. He [Davies] used his body well, he backs in to you and brings other people into play. He's not going to turn you and run in behind but not many people will against Anthony and Kortney.

"I thought they will learn from that, without a shadow of a doubt, when they come up against players like that. I thought they really did well.

"Bevs didn't have too much at all - I don't think he had a shot at goal, which was great for us."