Notts County manager John Sheridan admitted he was 'gutted' to lose at Rochdale - but saw positives in his team's display.
The Magpies were beaten 2-1 in Greater Manchester, the hosts cancelling out Jonathan Forte's opener with two goals in the second half.
Sheridan's men had chances to take the tie to penalties but were unable to convert, leaving their manager with mixed feelings at full-time.
He said: "We've played well tonight - I can take good things out of the game.
"We were up against a good team who are on a run. I love the way Keith Hill has his team playing - they move you around but I thought we dealt with what they threw at us. I'm gutted we've ended up losing.
"They had a 5-10 minute spell where they got the advantage but to be fair to the players I thought we responded really well and created some good opportunities to get back in the game.
"I don't think Loachy had much to do in the whole game but we've conceded two goals. It's just the little things that cost us tonight - these are the things I'm trying to get out of our game."
The result leaves Notts third in their group and needing a victory at Sunderland next month to qualify for the knockout stage.
Sheridan said: "I don't like losing any game - I wanted us to win, obviously, to make life easier going to Sunderland. But we know we've got to go there and win now.
"When Sunderland comes around it'll be good to play at a top stadium. We'll go and try and win the game."