We lacked zip, says Shrewsbury Town boss Micky Mellon

Town travelled to Deepdale for the first-round clash hoping to pull off a second cup shock within a week after their heroics at Premier League Leicester City.

However, a Jordan Hugill goal saw them slip to a 1-0 defeat.

• Preston 1 Shrewsbury 0 - match report

Mellon said: "I think if we are honest it was game too many for some of the lads. That zip and zest that has been very clear over the last few weeks just wasn't there tonight.

"I don't think there was a great deal between the two teams, if anything really, it was always going to be a scrappy goal which separated the two sides.

"We huffed and puffed and so did they and it wasn't a great passing exhibition by either team – it was a grind out really but we are going to come across games likes that and we can't give away sloppy goals like we did. We are disappointed that's for sure."

Mellon made four changes from the side that beat Luton with Anthony Griffith coming in for a debut along with James Caton, Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Mark Ellis.

He said: "There were players that needed to play. I have said all along there are players here who are here to play first-team football so when that opportunity comes up we have to take it.

"It seems it was a game too many for some of them. We have lost the game but we will continue to back every player that is here.

"We huffed and puffed and we went a wee bit more direct towards the end to create more goal scoring opportunities.

"But it is a wee bit of cleverness that is needed for a goal and it wasn't there tonight.

"We wanted to win. We have said all along we came here to win but the next game is now the important one."