Neal Ardley "proud" of AFC Wimbledon

AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley has expressed his pride after seeing his team narrowly beaten by Liverpool in the FA Cup this evening.

The Dons suffered a 2-1 defeat in their third-round tie thanks to a double from Steven Gerrard, but Ardley believes that his players gave a good account of themselves.

"In the first 25 minutes we looked nervous," he told BBC Sport. "They took me too literally about our shape but when we grew in the game and in confidence we caused them problems.

"In the first half, we had all of the best chances but they have some good players on the counter-attack and in the last 20 minutes we run out of legs and they had a lot of chances.

"I've told the players they have done the club proud but also they should kick themselves because we are in the business of winning and not being good losers."

Wimbledon will return to league action at the weekend with a trip to Stevenage.