Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce insists there's no excuses after their 1-0 defeat to Carabao Cup quarterfinal opponents Brentford.

The Championship side outclassed Toon and could have scored more than Josh DaSilva's second-half winner.

Bruce said: “I am hugely disappointed because we have missed a wonderful opportunity to take the club into a semi-final where it hasn't been for 40 odd years.

"I am bitterly disappointed but simply haven't played well enough tonight to win the tie.

"We should have had enough to win the cup tie. Unfortunately we haven't played well enough.

“The supporters are entitled to their opinion so I have to accept what is coming my way. That is part and parcel of being the manager of Newcastle.

"You have to accept the criticism which is fully justified.

"We shouldn't be getting beaten in the quarter-finals of the cup with the opportunity that we had to get to a semi-final for the first time in 45 years.

“We were too slow in possession. We didn't run forward enough or cause them enough problems in possession, especially with the attacking players we had on the pitch.

“At the end of the day, we didn't play well enough. I am not one to make excuses. We had enough people on the pitch to put in a better performance than what we did.

"I think they are playing for us – maybe not playing well enough. I don't think there is a lack of effort or determination."