GARETH Ainsworth said he was frustrated Wanderers failed to get anything out of their game against Tranmere last night - but admitted his side had failed to match the high standards they've previously set.

Despite below par displays from a number of players Blues still had by far the better of the chances as they slipped to their first league defeat of the season.

Rovers keeper Owain Fon Williams had a blinder as his succession of wondersaves frustrated Wanderers, before they were hit by the sucker punches of goals in each half from Cole Stockton and Max Power.

Ainsworth said defeat wasn't for want of trying, but said his players had simply run of steam after impressing in their opening three league and cup matches of the new campaign.

He said: "Frustrating is a good word. The keeper set his stall out in the first five minutes. He made an amazing save off a Paris cross and a potential own goal, and from there we never beat him all night.

"We had more chances and more shots on goal but they looked like they weren't going to go in for us.

"Tranmere had few chances, they took two of them and that was the difference. Not just that, we lacked a bit of energy and were outmuscled off the ball a few times.

"I'm fine with how we've been going. In the first four games of the season, three performances have been outstanding. Today we ran out of steam a little bit and were a little bit loose. This happens, and hopefully people will realise that.

"All over the park we were sometimes a little bit second best. The energy levels we've shown and the bar we've set so high, we didn't reach that tonight.

"Although we've had a bad night we created a lot of chances - double figures perhaps - they just didn't go in for us tonight. On another night maybe they will and we can capitalise on that."

Whereas Saturday's 3-1 win over Carlisle saw a clutch of players all challenging for the man of the match award, there was a lack of outstanding candidates last night.

A generally solid defensive display was overshadowed by two softly conceded goals, with Ainsworth saying at least one was avoidable.

The Blues boss added the new-look side he's assembled over the summer struggled to re-adapt after falling behind.

He said: "We haven't been behind this season in the league. It was probably a bit of shell shock to being behind.

"We'll be behind a few more times this season. It's not going to all be rosey and goals, goals, goals. It's a new group so to expect us to be trouncing everyone and winning every game is a bit much, but you could sense a little bit of disappointment after they scored. We can deal with that and we can put that right, no problem."

Ainsworth added: "The first goal they worked quite well. There was a mix up in the build up for that from us. It's not nice to see a striker score from a cross with the two centre halves we've got.

"The second goal I thought was avoidable and I'll be having a look at that and picking the bones out of that.

"We'll bounce back and that's what it's about for the next three days - bouncing back, getting the energy levels back up for Saturday."