Michael O'Neill was disappointed with the result but not necessarily the performance as Stoke City were knocked out of the Carabao Cup.
Stoke dominated large parts of a first round tie at Morecambe, particularly when the hosts were reduced to ten men mid-way through the first half, but couldn't find a winner.
Connor Taylor went close, Jordan Thompson hit the post and Dwight Gayle had a goal disallowed with Stoke suggesting that replays showed he was onside.
They then lost 5-3 on penalties, unable to peg back after first-up Morgan Fox's effort almost cleared the stadium. Stoke have had decent runs in this competition under O'Neill but those extra fixtures have stretched his squad and he was possibly thinking of that as he looked for positives.
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