NOTTS County manager Craig Short was proud of his side's performance even in defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Hillsborough last night

But he admitted they have to start games better. The Magpies were 2-0 down to the Owls after only 14 minutes, before Ben Davies scored a trademark free-kick midway through the first half in the 2-1 defeat.

Short said: "We lost, but I was pleased. I said to them at half-time, "Hell, you like a challenge".

"We can't keep starting so badly and giving goals away. We talk about starting well all of the time. When you are away against a team like Sheffield Wednesday and you start that badly you are thinking it's going to be five or six.

"It was up the players to dig in, and they did that. We played some good football at times, some of the best we have played this season."

Short believes Davies, who attracted a bid from Championship club Derby County before the transfer window closed, is one of the best dead-ball specialists playing outside the Premiership.

"We got the goal and we looked a threat going forward," he added.

"They did not have it all their own way.

They were worried every time we got a free-kick or a corner because of Ben's quality from set-pieces. He's the best outside the top-flight.

"Everyone wanted the ball and that shows their character after we made such a bad start.

"They showed a lot of resilience against a team of experienced players, who have just come down from the Championship.

"We've matched Plymouth, Watford, who are a Championship team, and now Sheffield Wednesday, who are top of our league.

"I said to them I don't mind being beaten if we've given everything, and they did. Hopefully the fans will think it's an improvement.

"If we play like we that we will win a lot more games, but we have to give ourselves a chance, by starting games a lot better."