Chairboys boss Gareth Ainsworth wasn't too despondent with his Wanderers side despite a narrow Carabao Cup defeat to Championship opponents Fulham.

Ainsworth's men lost 2-0 to Slavisa Jokanovic's men after it took a moment of magic from Lucas Piazon on 67 minutes to break the deadlock, smashing a thunderbolt past Scott Brown from 20 yards.

Denis Odoi doubled the lead for the Cottagers with nine minutes remaining from a corner to seal Fulham's place in the next round.

However, the Wycombe manager was encouraged at what he saw on the whole from a side that saw seven changes from the weekend's draw with Lincoln.

Ainsworth said: "I am gutted we are out of the cup as it is always nice to have a cup run but I thought there were some good performances out there.

"The formation was a change which enabled me to play Jack Williams for his full debut and I thought he did really well.

"He acquitted himself well and showed me that we have the option now of doing that.

"I thought Adam El-Abd was outstanding again. His calmness is something special and Hayesy getting minutes and Nathan Tyson coming on to stretch them were real positives for me."

However, Ainsworth bemoaned his side's defending for the second goal after a wonder strike for the first.

He added: "I was disappointed with the defending for the second goal from a corner. That is bog standard, whatever league you are in and we have to defend corners right.

"1-0 could have seen us put pressure on at the end but 2-0 made it too hard against a team like Fulham.

"However, on the whole I am pleased and we get a day more rest on Port Vale ahead of Saturday's game which could be important."

Although the gaffer would have liked to embark on a cup run, a promotion challenge does remain the priortity for Wanderers and the manager.

Ainsworth explained: "It is so important to have a fully fit squad but the league is the one where we want to pick up the points and if people want us to go one better than last year maybe the odd cup defeat won't have too much of an impact as keeping players fit for the league is vitally important."

Another slight negative on the night was the injury to Paris Cowan-Hall who had to come off at half-time after a lively first half showing.

Ainsworth issued an upbeat bulletin after the game on the winger. He commented: "Paris took a blow on his back in the first half but it shouldn't be too serious and hopefully he will be ok for Saturday."