Michael O'Neill out but now down as Stoke City suffer shoot-out defeat at Morecambe

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.

He said: "I was pleased with everyone tonight. I thought the lads who came in did well. Young Tom Sparrow is learning the position and Jordan Thompson on the left playing slightly out of position too.

"I had no problem with anyone, the commitment and the effort was good. It was a good test for the front two. They got fouled a lot and that's a part of the game they have to deal with, Jacob and Tyrese, becoming more physical.

"It's a game that while we're disappointed to go out of the competition it gives us possibly a bit more breathing space in the league in terms of fixtures as well."

Stoke camped in the opposition half for much of the second half but couldn't force keeper Connor Ripley into enough saves.

O'Neill said: "It was a little bit more difficult in the first half. They were aggressive with the press and we had to turn them around and move the ball forward at times, we could have been a little bit better.

"In the second half we were better and it was a game we just needed