PAUL Tisdale admitted his Exeter City side did not execute their game plan well enough on Tuesday as his side crashed out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at the first-round stage in a 2-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.
The Grecians were second best all evening and turned in a wretched performance, with the Chairboys winning thanks to goals in each half from Matt McClure and Antony Stewart.
"I thought Wycombe did extremely well at what they set out to do and you have to give them credit for that," Tisdale said. "We set out to pass the ball and we didn't do it well enough or often enough.
"We didn't have enough shots or crosses into the box or threaten the goal enough. It didn't quite synchronise. You get judged on what you execute and we didn't execute. I am really disappointed."
Tisdale made several changes to his side, with many of those coming in failing to have an impact on the game.
One player that did was 17-year-old youth team striker Matt Jay, who was handed his first-team debut as a second-half substitute and caught the eye on what was otherwise a bad night for City.
"I loved Matt Jay," Tisdale said. "That was a really good plus for the team. He came onto the pitch and looked a proper player and for a 17-year-old, that was a big plus for us.
"I watch the under-18s fleetingly – obviously I can't watch them all the time – but I have seen him in training and for the reserves and he is mentally very bright, he's tough beyond his size and he retains the ball and makes good decisions with the ball.
"There is very little compromise with that and if you can do all that, then you have a really good chance. He makes decisions as good as anybody within our group."
Asked whether Jay's performance had put him into first team contention on a more regular basis, Tisdale said: "You get judged on your execution and if you continue to do well, then why not? Matt Grimes has forced his way into first team contention in seven or eight weeks and I am open-minded to Matt [Jay] being in contention as well."
Wycombe scored when Tommy Doherty lost possession and the ball was played for McClure to score after 30 minutes.
Exeter's first – and best – attempt at goal came five minutes before half-time when Alan Gow's shot was saved.
City were marginally better after the break, but did not test Wycombe enough, and it was no great surprise when Stewart finished them off with a towering header eight minutes from time.