Town’s Capital One Cup campaign came to an early end as they were defeated 2-0 at Stevenage. The home side went in front via a Filipe Morais penalty in the 50th minute, then Jordan Burrow sealed it with 15 minutes to go.

Boss Mick McCarthy handed Frederic Veseli, Christophe Berra and Dean Gerken their Blues debuts in a side featuring six changes, while up front Paul Taylor made his first start in 11 months, alongside Frank Nouble.

Paul Anderson made his first start for Town having been a sub at Reading. Youngsters Kyle Hammond and Amir Berkane were amongst the senior subs for the first time in a competitive match.

With Aaron Cresswell (thigh) and Tyrone Mings (knee) out injured, former Stevenage loanee Tommy Smith switched to left-back.

Stevenage were forced into a late change when keeper Chris Day twisted his ankle in the warm-up. Steve Arnold took over.

Frank Nouble struck the game’s first serious shot in the seventh minute after exchanging passes with Jay Tabb, but the ball deflected behind.

From the corner, Christophe Berra came closer to opening the scoring, the debutant heading Tabb’s deep ball into the box goalwards only for Sam Wedgbury to nod off the line. From the subsequent flagkick, Cole Skuse almost found Berra with a header back across goal.

Stevenage should have gone in front in the 14th minute when former Arsenal youngster Luke Freeman crossed from the right and an unmarked Oumare Tounkara headed over from six yards when he should have scored.

Darius Charles’s overhead kick bounced harmlessly wide in the 21st minute after Stevenage skipper had headed Freeman’s corner from the right back across goal. The League One side were looking the more dangerous team with Town largely pinned back in their half.

There was an uncomfortable moment for Gerken in the 26th minute when a bouncing ball was left to him by his defenders. Tounkara challenged and the keeper dropped the ball but referee Gavin Ward blew his whistle for a foul.

Taylor, who had spent much of the half dropping deep and picking the ball up in the middle of midfield, scuffed a shot well wide in the 29th minute with the Blues continuing to make little headway.

Town were forced into a change in the 35th minute after Tabb succumbed to a shoulder injury he had suffered earlier on in the half. Skipper Edwards took over in his usual right midfield role with Anderson switching to the left.

On 40, Taylor wasn’t too far away with a shot from the edge of the box which ruffled the sidenetting. Soon after, Gerken was forced into a sharp save from Morais Filipe after the midfielder had cut in from the left after beating Veseli, who moments earlier looked to have been suffering with a knock.

Town again threatened again in the 41st minute, Hyam exchanging passes with Nouble before hitting a low shot across goal which Edwards just couldn’t reach at the far post.

The Blues were finishing the half strongly and in the 44th minute Edwards crossed low from the right but Wedgbury stabbed the ball behind ahead of Nouble.

Town continued to look dangerous as the half moved towards three minutes of injury time, Taylor unleashing a powerful strike from the edge of the box which keeper Arnold did well to push round the post.

The Blues had gradually got on top towards the end of a half in which both sides had had chances to go in front. Boro’s had probably had the better of it with Tounkara likely to feel he should have done a lot better with his header.

Freeman curled a freekick wide in the opening minute of the second period, then Anderson swept a superb ball wide to Edwards on the right, but the Trinidadian’s cross flew beyond Nouble. Moments later, the ex-Wolves man headed another Edwards cross over.

In the 50th minute Stevenage were awarded a penalty after Luke Hyam tripped Tounkara just inside the box. There seemed to be little serious argument prior to Morais slamming the kick to Gerken’s right and into the net.

The Blues switched strikers Taylor and Nouble for David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy on 55 and three minutes later the former Forest man forced Arnold into a save to his left after he was found in space on the edge of the area by Hyam. Soon after, Anderson was booked for a foul.

The substitutions seemed to have woken Town up and in the 68th minute Skuse scuffed a shot towards goal. The ball was half-cleared and McGoldrick sent in a cross from the right which Wedgbury put out of play ahead of Murphy.

From the corner, the ball eventually reached Anderson on the edge of the box and his shot flew just wide. At the other end, Gerken was off his line to claim ahead of Tounkara on the edge of his area.

Stevenage made it 2-0 in the 75th minute. Sub Robert Shroot crossed from the right and Jordan Burrow stabbed home from a few feet.

McGoldrick hit a freekick from 25 yards straight into the wall, then as the game moved into its final five minutes struck a shot on the turn which Arnold saved down to his left.

With a minute of scheduled time to go and with Berra having joined the attack, Arnold did superbly to save at the far post with Smith looking certain to score. As the game moved into added-on time, Anderson’s deflected shot was easy for the keeper, who made a number of impressive stops.

As time ran out for the Blues, Edwards sent a dangerous ball across the box but no Town player was on hand to add the final touch, then from a Skuse cross Berra headed to Arnold.

A Stevenage victory was a fair result on the balance of the game, the home side having been largely on top aside from a spell towards the end of the first half and after the first Boro goal.

Town gave the ball away too easily and too often, while a determined Stevenage side never allowed them time on the ball.

Despite having made six changes to the team which lost at Reading at the weekend, Mick McCarthy is likely to be less than impressed that his fringe players failed to get the better of a League One side and exited the Capital One Cup at such an early stage, while Jay Tabb's injury is an addition concern for the Blues boss.

Stevenage: Arnold, Wedgbury, Hills, Ashton, Morais (Shroot 73), Charles, Burrow (Jones 90), Heslop, Freeman, Tansey, Tounkara (Haber 73). Unused: Day, Akins, N'Guessen, Deacon.

Town: Gerken, Veseli, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Anderson, Skuse, Hyam, Tabb (Edwards 35), Taylor (McGoldrick 55), Nouble (Murphy 55). Unused: Loach, Hewitt, Hammond, Berkane. Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey). Att:

Photo: Action Images

Gilesy added 22:14 - Aug 6 We've played two games - get a grip some of you.
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bluefeast added 22:14 - Aug 6 mkw79 tonight was not a championship match it was a cup game against a on paper far weaker side. We have no creativity in the side so we have to work hard and shut people down ,however if they do that to us we have no plan B.
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bluefeast added 22:16 - Aug 6 Clegg in lol
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blue_moon09 added 22:17 - Aug 6 Why don't you muppets shut up! Most of don't even go to the games, your all pathetic. Expectations are far to high ITFC are just an average mid table 1st division side, but with two games into a new season the panic button does'nt need pressing just yet.
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dreblue added 22:18 - Aug 6 Just got in from the game. I live in St Albans. Overall a disappointing game. It didn't help that the ref was awful and literally gave us NOTHING!! Overall my concern is the lack of creativity in our midfield. In Summary: Gerken - poor first half but got better. He didn't demand his box and at times very slow at coming of his line. Veseli - u can tell it was his first EVER senior match. He looked more interested in trying to keep things basics then actually using his skill and crossing ability. He got caught out of position a few times. He got better in the 2nd half but I wonder if that was due to Edwards help. Berra- clearly isn't match fit. He looked ok but nothing compared to smith and chambers of late. Will be good tho Chambers - solid Smith - played out of position and it showed how much we miss cresswell. He got beaten for their 2nd goal. Solid in the air as usual. But due to his lack of going forward we missed that. Skuse - he just did what he needed to do as in hold there. Nothing amazing. If anything he needed to release the ball much quicker. Hyam - probably one of our brighter players. Some good runs. I worry that we are depending on him creating our chances all season. A great player but I do worry he is all we have available. Anderson - poor. He looked out of position of the left. Alto predictable as always cut inside. From what I saw tonight I wouldn't say he is the outright winger we needed! Tabb - tried hard as always but again lacked that last touch going forward. Nouble - AWFUL would be an understatement!! Which is a shame. Really bad touches and for someone of his size he could have been much better in the air and when holding up the ball. Taylor - lively but he needs someone better up top with him. Made some good runs and came out with some good shots. Can't wait until he is match fit. Mcgoldrick - he changed the game slightly. Showed how much better than nouble he is. Some good movements and had a good chance created by Hyam. He did get frustrated with the rest of the team. Murphy - good int the air and was steady. Edwards - he showed his experience at times. Def better than Anderson. Overall we just didn't really turn up. Some ok passing but if we play like that on Saturday we will get beaten and also be destroyed by QPR on the 17th.

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HALLSJ added 22:19 - Aug 6 PS Brighton 1-3 Newport (conference last season) at Brighton, Morecambe 1-0 Wolves, Middlesbrough 1-2 Accrington not only us!!
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Pessimistic added 22:20 - Aug 6 This was a very disappointing result - although it must be said Mick the Man's six changes were forced to some extent. That said, this should NOT have happened and the gaffer really needs a prolific goalscorer a yet again we begin the season without one!
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dreblue added 22:20 - Aug 6 Apologise for some of the spelling etc above. Stupid predictive text in the iPad.
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siebdykstra added 22:21 - Aug 6 oh no! We are out in the first round of the fizzy cup! Last time we did well in this we ended up with Jewell. Not even slightly concerned, bread and butter please. Good luck Stevenage, hope you get a big side next round. Now for the real business of getting into the top six.
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sirmichealmills added 22:21 - Aug 6 Mkw79 no supporting your team is paying their wages, if your fortunate enough to be able to go in the first place, as let's face it matchday prices border on the criminal IMO, still lets price most people out,who cares anyway right?
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Kirbmeister added 22:22 - Aug 6 Some of you make me laugh -I agree with some of the later comments - the season is 4 days old. Last week the majority were saying we were premiership bound - now they are already slagging off Mick. Give them a chance for god's sake!!!! We will be mid table by the end and that will be progress.
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ManningtreeBlue99 added 22:23 - Aug 6 Brilliant just bought my ticket for QPR Away, if tonights performance is anything to go by we will lose, heavily. Happy days :)
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Bluesaway added 22:23 - Aug 6 Surely the players coming in, especially the rather more experienced ones such as Berra, Nouble and Anderson, should have been out to prove a point tonight. I wasn't at the game, but it calls into question whether the motivation is there for the squad players to be forcing their way into the team on the back of strong performances. Whilst Mick may know his first XI you always need competition and reliable alternatives to cover injuries and suspensions. Hopefully Mick will give them a roasting and get them to buck their ideas up rather than have them sit comfortably on their contracts and play reserves week to week. If not, we're back to the loanee gamble, which can go either way as we know only too well.

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TimmyH added 22:26 - Aug 6 First and foremost 2-0 against Stevenage is an unacceptable result even if it is in the League cup, I feel we needed a win just to get a bit of a morale booster for the start of the season. It really makes we think just how much effort what ever 11 is picked in this competition (well at least in the early stages). Recent record in this: 2009 Beaten by Peterboro 2010 got to the semi-finals somehow after scraping the first two rounds after extra time 2011 Beaten at home by Northampton 2-1 2012 Beaten by Carlisle 2-1 2013 Beaten by Stevenage 2-0 Get my drift! not very astounding in this are we? Only Mick and the players and the owner will know. Puts even more pressure on Saturday now for a win, Mick certainly won't want 4 losses on the bounce (if you include Burnley last season).

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ManningtreeBlue99 added 22:29 - Aug 6 Chambers excluded players looked way too weak tonight. A bit of Lee Martin energy and exuberance was needed. Preparing for many down votes as everyone hates Lee Martin
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Morgan added 22:29 - Aug 6 Granted, poor result but its only the second game and 3 players were on debuts. Cardiff went out at the same stage last year and went on to win the league. Give things time, we have 10 new players in the squad. I'm disappointed but that's it, we move on and concentrate on Millwall.
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Cheshire_Blue added 22:30 - Aug 6 The usual embarrassing exit to lower league opposition. This is not good enough and happens year after year. It is time some thought was given to the supporters instead of putting out a second string team which is not up to the task. I saved my money and stayed at home as this was all too predictable.
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sirmichealmills added 22:31 - Aug 6 Blue moon, ho ho, you not one of that single fat people on the back of the coach who's been to every single game since 1958, maybe the muppets would like to go and just can't afford it (gasp) Cause they've got to support their wife/kids or maybe your one of the 17-25 year old super fans, if I lived in my mummy and daddy's house I could get a season ticket as well...

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cossy81 added 22:39 - Aug 6 If you read blue moons past comments it's all morons and muppets.Perhaps he can produce a picture of himself on here so i can spot him on saturday!
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bluefeast added 22:42 - Aug 6 Money is tight ,we need our players to fight ,we offer nothing to fright. Lets hope for more , we need the right score ,please don't bore . Some skill and vigour , will make us bigger , I write this letter as we MUST BUY BETTER.
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james1989 added 22:45 - Aug 6 It amazes me that everyone is so negative already! We lost to reading away! They were in the premier league last season and we never deserved to get beaten! We lost tonight to Stevenage, yes they are lower ranked but.. It doesn't make it an easy game, if anything it makes it harder because all lower league teams want to beat the bigger teams Fair play to Stevenage, at the end of the day there's 45 league games left and plenty of points to play for! You all need to get behind the team not moan about them

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bigolconnor added 22:47 - Aug 6 Chill out. Idiots. Who cares about the cup?! Oooh nooo we are all doomed. Grow up. Millwall is an important game, as are all league matches. We were unlucky at reading. Bunch of frikkin whiners.
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martleshamitfc added 22:47 - Aug 6 Funny how a couple of games and the mood changes so much.... calm down everyone, yes it is not the start we hoped for, but we have played Reading who were in the PL last year and lost to a couple of unlucky goals and we always seem to go out to lower league teams in the cup. Let's not panic.. a few unfortunate injuries doesn't help and I am sure MM will get the team gelling and winning again... come on and get behind the team. Hopefully a 20k + crowd on Saturday.

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BrettenhamBlue added 22:50 - Aug 6 We are only 2 games into the season people...and 1 of those was a cup game. As I have said before- I think we have been far too optimistic about this season. We seem to always concentrate on who we have and not the squads of the opposition. There are maybe 12/13 teams in the Championship with better squads than us. Stearman and Sharpe should have been signed up- but money does seem to be the issue. I went to the game. We lacked creativity throughout and Nouble was poor. I mean really poor. Would be shocked if he starts against Millwall. Maybe he was meant to be the holding player but Alan Lee would have done a much better job. Mick is doing a great job. Best of luck to him and the team against Millwall

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theobald1985 added 22:51 - Aug 6 ManningtreeBlue99 totally agree with you re lee martin i think we will miss him this season. i think the problem is we have 10 new players so we are going through an transitional period again but we will come good and have a decent season. lets get behind the team rather than over-reacting and moaning
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