The Shay chief made five changes to his starting line-up for the League Cup clash and they were beaten 2-1, with Michael Norton bagging the second of his two goals for the visitors two minutes into stoppage time.

And despite saying in the build up to the game that he would not select his side with an eye on tomorrow's league game at Bamber Bridge, he clearly did.

"I would rather keep Junior Brown, Damien Allen and Cavell Coo fresh ready for Tuesday," said Vince.

"It was my decision and that's what we did.

"It was a calculated risk and it has not paid off for us.

"The worst thing that could have happened on Saturday was to have won the game and lost a player for six or seven weeks."

Vince added that he would not be losing too much sleep over defeat in a competition he clearly has no desire to win.

"I don't think we wanted it badly enough," said Vince. "Maybe that is my fault.

"Do I want to win this competition? Not really. I want to win the league.

"Maybe I have influenced the players attitude.

"If this had been a league game I would have been telling the players exactly what I thought.

"But if it had been a league game there would have been three or four players not playing.

"Those lads who came in are a long way off getting a first team shirt today.

"It is hard to motivate the team when there are nine or 10 players in third gear."

Town's cause was not helped by the defensive mistakes that handed Norton his double.

But they almost took the tie into extra time when Scott Phelan scored to level with 10 seconds of the 90 minutes remaining.

"We gave them two goals," said Vince. "Kris King made another error and Luke Hinsley made an error.

"Players have to learn from their mistakes.

"Players have made poor decisions and the opposition has capitalised on it.

"If they don't learn there is no point being with us.

"We created plenty - outside the box - but we weren't penetrating in the final third.

"The bit of life we showed was in the last five or 10 minutes.

"There just wasn't a desire there - but we will have that tomorrow."

Tom Baker became the 33rd player to wear a Town shirt this season when he made his debut.