Leonid Slutsky proud of Hull City youngsters despite upset at Doncaster Rovers - reaction

With a threadbare squad from which to choose, Slutsky handed senior debuts to six players for the second round tie and the young side gave a good account before falling to goals from Alfie May and Tommy Rowe.

The Russian declared his pride in his team - the youngest starting XI in the Tigers' history - but quickly turned his attention to Friday night's Championship game with Bolton.

"It's my first step in Hull history but I think not the last," Slutsky said.

"I think it was an unbelievable performance because we played a youth team against a serious team from League One. For 90 per cent of our squad it was their first match at a serious level.

"Some players trained with the first team and I understand their level. Others are new players from only the under-23s. I think the team really was a big team.

"Of course, the guys were very nervous but really, we had 50-50 possession and created some chances. I think it is a serious first step in their careers.

"Now we keep being Hull and we have only 10 players for the starting XI on Friday. Really we have a very difficult time and we have to think about Friday."

Doncaster boss Darren Ferguson is hoping to land an away trip to one of the Premier League elite in the third round after their impressive performance.

And a return to the club most associated with his family name, Manchester United, is top of Ferguson's wishlist for Thursday morning's draw.

"The big boys are in it so preferably we want one of them away from home," he said. "No doubt about it. We might not get another opportunity at that in the short term.

"I'd love to go to Old Trafford. I'd like to go to Wembley. That was spoken about to the players - the opportunity to maybe go to these places if we got to the third round."

Ferguson admitted he was happy to twist the knife on beleaguered Hull, labelling the tie a golden opportunity for Doncaster to advance.

He said: "It's turned out that it was a good opportunity for us with the circumstances Hull find themselves in with the injuries. We felt it was an opportunity we couldn't throw away.

"It was a clean sheet, a home win, players getting game time who haven't had a lot of minutes - there are lots of positives to take from it.

"We're into the third round and it's been a while since I've been in, so I'm delighted."