MK Dons manager Paul Tisdale has said he will be looking for more from his back-up players as they focus on their league challenge following their Checkatrade Trophy exit.

Tisdale spoke after a 3-2 defeat to the Brighton U21s confirmed the Dons would be leaving the tournament at the group stage. He said he felt the team ran out of energy during the game, and said the team needed to improve its options beyond the first team over the remainder of the season.

He said, “I think we tired in the second half, but lots of what we saw today, I wasn’t surprised about. We played some good stuff and had some intensity at the start. I thought we looked lively in the first quarter, but we had three or four players who were regulars in the side, one of whom in Joe Walsh sadly left injured, and the others have been on the periphery. Its probably a lack of football.

“I have to be careful not to be too disappointed, but the second half was very disappointing. But I know the grand picture and as much as I don’t like losing, especially when it feels lacklustre, the reality of it is that there were players who were desperate for 90 minutes that tired in the second half. Its a reminder to them and us that we’ve got to keep the supporting group on their toes and ready.”

Tisdale admitted the team’s performance in the second half was below part, but called on his team to move on and come back on Saturday.

He said, “We just lost our rhythm, made uncharacteristic mistakes and it just unravelled a bit. But well done to Brighton as they did the opposite and built up a performance. Its disappointing but I don’t want to be too miserable off the back – its a tournament we were interested in, but its gone, so we turn our focus to Saturday.”

The game marked the return of Conor McGrandles, who suffered a major facial injury during the opening day match at Oldham, and Tisdale was pleased to see his return to action.

He said, “It was a big success of the night to have Conor back, but he had to come after the hour. He hasn’t even played a reserve game yet, but he did well.

“I’m chuffed for him and for Simon Crampton and the medical team as he has suffered a lot in the last three months and its great to see him back. He isn’t yet fully near match fitness, but I wanna get him back on the pitch as soon as we can.”

With the Dons suffering quickfire exits from both the FA Cup and the Checkatrade Trophy, the Dons’ exclusive attention will now turn to getting back out of League 2. But while Tisdale’s team can move top on Saturday as leaders Lincoln had their game re-arranged, the Dons’ manager said there is still work required.

He said, “There’s an obvious objective this year for promotion, and we’re in a good position for it. Every moment up to now has given me information on the players, and them information on how I think. We’re putting together more ideas with a greater understanding of each other. We’re in a good place but we’re nowhere near the point where we can start feeling pleased with ourselves.

“It is clear it is now 100% our focus. So far, so good, but we’ve still got work to do and we certainly have to build a squad that has a very robust group of players who can come in at the drop of a hat and perform. Its probably the next target for me to push some of the players tonight into that kind of form or look at one or two coming in.”