Cambridge United 1-2 Queens Park Rangers: U’s boss Garry Monk proud of his side’s performance in League Cup defeat at Cledara Abbey Stadium

Cambridge United head coach Garry Monk has spoken of the pride that he got from his side’s performance during tonight’s 2-1 defeat to higher-league Queens Park Rangers in the first round of the League Cup.

First-half goals from Michael Frey and Paul Smyth secured a passage through to the next round for visitors from the Championship, with Paul Digby’s goal for the U’s after the restart proving to be nothing more than a consolation.

However, for large parts of the contest United were the dominant side and the statistics backed that up. They out-shot their opponents 16-13, while they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession with 59 per cent.

And as far as Monk is concerned, it is the sort of display that he and his coaching staff have been working to produce throughout the summer.

“Where do I start? It’s one of those nights where you’re disappointed with the result obviously, but I could not be any prouder of that performance,” he said.

“It was a good representation of what we want to try and be this season and it all came out in that game.

“The two goals were poor from our point of view, really avoidable, but that happens. But I thought our response was really strong – even after the first goal. And there is never a good time to concede a goal, but the second goal came when we were responding really well.

“You saw the attitude of the players. We never gave up, we kept going and the second half we were totally dominant.

“We had more than enough chances and it was a little bit of lack of composure or luck (that cost us). How we didn’t come off that pitch with a result – I feel sorry for the players.

“I could not have been any prouder and I think what pays testament to that is what you saw after with the fans – they stayed behind.

“I said to them (the players) at half-time to stay in the game and if we get one goal the roof will come off this place and they did that – they kept pushing the lads.

“It’s what we want this place to be this season and it’s a good representation of that.”