Downing was furious following the 4-0 defeat at Oldham on Saturday

Cheltenham boss Keith Downing felt his players deserved praise despite their 3-2 Carling Cup exit to Stoke City.

Ashley Vincent and Alex Russell scored for the Robins as they impressed their boss following the 4-0 loss at Oldham.

Downing told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "Saturday was not acceptable and I was even angry running into Monday. The players got the wrath of that.

"Tonight the response was first class. We needed to be better without the ball, we were compact and we competed."

He continued: "Stoke have a strong squad, and I mean physically strong too. They play the same way whoever they pick and you have to stand your corner.

"Their three goals were Premier League quality. Give them half a chance and they'll score, but we're strong here and we believed we could cause an upset.

"The determination was there to try and get a result. We didn't, but I can accept the manner of the loss better than I did on Saturday."