WANDERERS BOSS Gareth Ainsworth was proud of his troops as they went out of the Capital One Cup to higher league Fulham despite having the better of the tie against their Championship opponents.

He said: “We showed what we were all about in a real good way and if we play like that in the league week in week out we won’t go far wrong.”

Wanderers were beaten by a single second half Alex Kacaniklic strike and even Fulham boss Kit Symons admitted his team had been in a real tussle after their 1-0 win.

Ainsworth said: “I was really pleased with the application of the boys. We gave Fulham a real test. They had one shot on our goal in the second half and I lost count of how many crosses we put into their box. It just didn’t fall for us. Fulham defended really well and took us on the counter attack.

“We were well on top in the first part of the second period and the injury to their player disrupted us. That happens, you’ve got to concentrate and one counter attack has undone us.  It was a disappointing goal to concede but going forward I thought we did very well and created opportunities, it was just that final touch, that final pass.

“It didn’t go for us tonight but I’m looking forward to getting them go for us in the league.”

Wanderers were left to rue Garry Thompson’s first half miss when he sent a volley high and wide with the goal at his mercy.

Ainsworth said: “It was a great chance and games are decided on moments like this but I’m sure he will be sticking those away in the future. Thommo’s workrate is something special, he leads the line so well and you can’t do anything but admire him. He will be disappointed he’s missed that but it happens, but if we keep creating like we are and have the energy and press like we are I’m pretty sure we will win more than we lose.”

Ainsworth was able to take solace in the way his team matched a team that has had millions spent on it.

He said: “There’s players out there (In the Fulham team) that are ten years my budget. It’s crackers and it’s great to see my boys match them and some. I thought we had some individuals who were better than their opposite number today which is really encouraging. The likes of Michael Harriman were superb and Sido Jombati really defended well and it was a big 90 minutes for Stephen McGinn and he will only get better.

“I’m really pleased and really encouraged that we were able to match a team way above our league and gulfs apart when you look at the structures of the club.”

Two games into the season, Ainsworth admitted that his current squad is not far away from the one  that amassed 84 points and reached the play-off final last season.

He said: “There’s been one or two changes but I think we are very similar. The workrate and the characters we’ve got, but time will tell."