BLUES boss Gareth Ainsworth said his young central defenders still have plenty to learn after being outgunned by Exeter's attack.

Alfie Mawson and Aaron Pierre have been in outstanding form at the heart of the Wanderers defence this season, keeping six clean sheets.

A physical challenge against big strikers in the hurly burly of lower league hasn't been a problem, but last night they struggled to get to grips with the twinkle-toed Exeter frontline.

Defender Scot Bennett was thrown forward as an extra attacker and he opened the space for the likes of David Wheeler and Jimmy Keohane to run rings around the Wanderers duo.

Ainsworth has backed Mawson and Pierre to learn from their experience, as Wanderers' ten game unbeaten run came to an end.

He said: "The likes of [AFC Wimbledon striker Adebayo] Akinfenwa and [Mansfield's Matt] Rhead, people like that, they've handled the big guys. The movement side, can we start handling that as well? I'm sure they can - they are good lads.

"The two centre halves are very young - they were in Brentford's youth team two years ago - and they're flying high and things have been going fantastically well for them. Now is a really big learning curve for them.

"We'll watch the video back. I'm sure both of them want to do that - they want to come in and watch and learn. We'll work on why they lost headers, why the movement caused problems."