Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says his players were “outclassed in every department” in their 4-0 EFL Vertu Trophy loss at Luton Town.
The Grecians made six changes to the side that were narrowly beaten at high-flying Bradford City on Saturday, but were second best at Kenilworth Road.
Two Lasse Nordas goals either side of a strike from Shayden Morris put the Hatters 3-0 up before half-time.
Zack Nelson added a fourth midway through the second half to comprehensively end Exeter’s hopes of a trip to Wembley.
“Too many duels lost – their physicality, their power, their speed, we didn’t match and when you don’t match that, football becomes a very difficult game,” Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.
“I thought also in possession we didn’t get on the ball enough, we didn’t play our game enough.
“When we did, we felt we could play through them, but we didn’t want to get on the ball, we weren’t quick enough on the ball, so the game became very difficult and we were outclassed in every department.
“When that happens, you have to hold your hands up, you have to look at yourself, me, staff, players, and try to react to it and try to do something about it.”
