Accrington Stanley boss James Beattie was proud of his players in their Capital One Cup defeat to Cardiff City.
Former Southampton and Everton striker will now turn to attempting to steer his side off the foot of the fourth tier.
The performance of his injury-ravaged squad against such illustrious opposition has given him plenty of hope that they can do just that.
"The lads are disappointed in there," said Beattie.
"There's no shame in that performance at all. I thought it was very good. All the units were working a lot better tonight, the shape was good, the discipline was good.
"They can hold their heads high, I've told them to walk out that dressing room with their chests out and their chins held high."
Beattie, who was handed his first job in management at the Crown Ground back in May, even went as far as claiming it was the best he had seen his side play.
"I would put it up there with the Middlesbrough performance (in the last round when Accrington won 2-1)," he added.
"Now we just need to replicate that Capital One Cup performance in the league and there'll be no problem whatsoever."
