A poor clearance by goalkeeper Paul Jones gifted Croatia a late equaliser.

"I was very pleased with my team, and their determination to get something from the game," he said.

"We knew it would be a difficult game with so many of our top players not here.

"But the new lads wanted to be involved and to prove they could play at this level. They certainly achieved that."

Hughes also refused to blame Jones, who had earlier made several crucial saves, for costing them the victory.

"Paul was disappointed with the goal we conceded, but these things happen in a game, it was a wet night, with a greasy ball and I'm not blaming him.

"I'd rather look to the good points, and that came from Nationwide League players who have shown me they are up to the task."

He continued: "We had new players who hadn't had the benefit of being in our squad before and been able to pick up on what we wanted.

"But they learned quickly and I couldn't have been happier with them."